Confusion over Russia 'hijack' report

Russian officials have denied a report that a plane has been hijacked.

The report, carried by Itar-Tass news agency, said the An-24 had been seized on a flight from Moscow to Perm in the Urals.

But a spokesman for Russia's emergencies ministry told Reuters news agency the report was incorrect.

"The information of the hijacking has turned out to be untrue," said the spokesman.

The hijacking report emanated from Russian air traffic controllers, who had apparently picked up an alarm signal from the plane.

The plane's crew denied having been hijacked, the Interfax news agency reported.

The emergencies ministry said the plane, belonging to Permskie Avialinii airways, had landed safely in Perm.

Officials later said the false alert was triggered during a test of hijack alarm systems.