The explosions and fire severely damaged the aircraft. 58 passengers died, as well as two of the six crew members.

Only one hijacker survived the commando raid. Omar Rezaq, the man who allegedly shot the five passengers while demanding fuel, was arraigned in court in Malta, sentenced to 25 years in jail, but released after serving just seven years.

He was later arrested in Nigeria and turned over to the FBI, and is now serving a life sentence in the United States after being found guilty on one count of air piracy.