On December 26, 1994, members of the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) hijacked Air France Flight 8969 in Algiers, in an attempt to destroy the Eiffel Tower. When the aircraft reached Marseille, the GIGN, an intervention group of the French Gendarmerie, stormed the plane and killed all four hijackers. 3 passengers had been killed by the hijackers in Algiers, and 25 others were wounded during the rescue.
