In pictures: Athens bus hijack

1 of 8 Two Albanian gunman seized the commuter bus in Athens early on Wednesday, taking more than 20 people hostage.

2 of 8 Greek police and special forces, highly trained to secure the Athens Olympics, were deployed to the area.

3 of 8 Worried relatives of hostages gathered by the police cordon.

4 of 8 Five hours after seizing the bus, the gunmen released five hostages, the first of whom came out with arms raised.

5 of 8 The hijackers initially said they wanted to be taken to Athens airport and flown to Russia.

6 of 8 Police praised the bus driver for fleeing with the keys, thus immobilising the bus and allowing them to secure the area.

7 of 8 The gunmen finally decided late on Wednesday evening to let all the hostages go and surrender.

8 of 8 Police were then able to board and secure the bus.