Geneva, Feb 17 (IANS): The hijacker of an Ethiopian Airlines flight, who has surrendered to police, has been identified as the co-pilot, according to Geneva airport authorities.

Airport officials said Monday the 31-year-old Ethiopian man locked himself in the cockpit after taking control of the Boeing 767-300 as he wanted to seek asylum in Switzerland, Xinhua reported.

Earlier in the day, Jean-Philippe Bramdt, Geneva Cantonal police spokesperson, told Xinhua that investigations are still underway and further details would be released soon.

Flight ET-702 from Addis Abba to Milan via Rome was forced to land at Geneva International Airport at 6 a.m. (5 a.m. GMT) Monday after reportedly being hijacked while flying over Sudan.

Police arrived at the airport and brought the situation under control on the ground. Bramdt said the passengers and crew were safe and police were evacuating them one by one.

The plane was reportedly carrying over 200 people, but the number was not confirmed by the spokesperson.

The Geneva airport is currently closed with many flights cancelled.