Scandinavian Airlines System Flight 130: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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The police were informed of the hijacking at 16:55 and immediately scrambled troops to Bulltofta to deal with the situation. Organized by the police superintendent of duty in Malmö, a low-profile police action was ordered, where no police officer should attempt any offensive action without prior orders. Minister of Justice [[Lennart Geijer]] was alerted at 18:20. He was vacationing at his cabin in [[Ystad Municipality]], located only kilometers from the airport, and was able to quickly arrive at the scene. Once briefed, he called a cabinet conference by alerting Prime Minister [[Olof Palme]]. Meanwhile the National Police Board dispatched several of its members to the airport. It's leader, Carl Persson, joined the crisis cabinet. They decided to avoid use of force and instead attempt to tire out the hijackers through the extending negotiations.<ref name=h50 />

Bulltofta was partially evacuated and the international departure area was converted to an emergency ward. Ten busloads of stretchers and medical equipment were brought in and set up in case of a detonation. At 21 hours the:00 a SAS Douglas DC-9 departed Bromma with the SAS executive management along with a reserve crew for a DC-9. Half an hour later [[Skåne University Hospital|Lund University Hospital]] was put in full emergency preparedness. Additional food supplies were handed over at 22 hours:00.<ref name=minutt />

The first major decision for the authorities was whether the prisoners should be released.<ref name=h50 /> Palme gave the orders for preliminary release at 21:00.<ref name=minutt /> The cabinet met at 22:00 and by 23:00 it had concluded that the prisoners were to be transported to Bulltofta as an intermediate measure. There were at the time rumors that the terrorists were Serbs which had the intention of murdering the Croatians once they were on board the aircraft. The cabinet therefore decided that the prisoners would only be let on board if they agreed to themselves, after consulting with the hijackers. However, the issue was complicated around midnight when the Bulltofta base of operations received a threat by telefax which threatened to kill Palme, Geijer and two other ministers if the prisoners were handed over.<ref name=h51>Hansén: 51</ref>

There were several instances of photographers and other making their way onto the runway. This irritated the hijackers and the runway was cleared. New attempts are made to reach the runway and new clearings were carried out. All other aviation activity at Bulltofta ceased at 23:55. Fifteen minutes later two more passengers were let off due to heart problems. One recovered quickly after receiving medication, while the other was sent to hospital. The prisoners arrived at the airport at between 01:35 and 02:10,<ref name=h51 /> having been transported by a [[Douglas DC-3]] and two helicopters from their respective prisons.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dynamitten ligger klar |date=16 September 1972 |page=14 |work=[[Verdens Gang]] |language=Norwegian}}</ref>

The prisoners were informed of the situation and the demands. At this time it was still not evident whether the two groups were friends or foes. As the only prisoner, Barešić stated at 02:12 that he was interested in letting the transaction take place without talking to the hijackers. Others talked to the hijackers, but they did not agree to the transfer. Barešić thereafter convinced all but one of them to accept the deal. Planning the practical aspects of the transaction was forcing the issue past the deadline. This was finalized at 03:02 when it was decided that the dissident would not be exchanged. Under command of Superintendent Lewijn, thirty passengers would be released after which two prisoners would be sent by police escort to the aircraft and let on board. This would be done three times until all passengers were safe and all willing prisoners aboard, with the cabin crew being let off in the last wave.<ref name=h51 />