Cypriot passenger jet returns to airport after being hit by lightning

A Cyprus Airways passenger jet returned to Larnaca airport Thursday after it was hit by lightning, officials said.

None of the 118 passengers and seven crew on the flight, which was bound for Athens, Greece, was injured.

"The aircraft returned for precautionary reasons, to undergo checks," said Christos Kyriakides, the airline's director.

Lightning struck the right engine of the Airbus 319 jet as it flew over Paphos, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) west of Larnaca, the Cyprus News Agency said.

The plane touched down around 10.15 a.m. (0715 GMT), 45 minutes after taking off.