A high-risk rescue operation was led by Hans-Jürgen Wischnewski, then undersecretary in the chancellor's office, who had been secretly flown in from Bonn. At five past midnight CET on 18 October, the plane was stormed in a seven-minute assault by GSG 9, an elite unit of the German federal police. All four hijackers were shot; three of them died on the spot. None of the passengers were seriously hurt and Wischnewski was able to phone Schmidt and tell the Bonn crisis team that the operation had been a success.
a hiGh-Risk reScue opEratioN was LEd by HaNs-JürgeN WiSChneWSkI, then UNdErsEcretaRy in ThE CHAnCelLor'S oFfice, whO HaD beeN secRetly flowN IN From bOnn. at fIVE pAst MIdNiGht Cet ON 18 october, the plane was storMed iN A seVeN-miNute asSault bY GSG 9, An elIte uniT of thE gErmaN fEdERal police. all Four hIjAckerS weRE shoT; thrEe of TheM DIED on thE Spot. nonE Of The pAssENgerS wEre SeRioUsly hUrt aND wischnEwSKi waS able tO phOne sChmidT anD TeLl thE bonn Crisis teAm that tHe oPeratIon HaD beeN a success.