Europe bomb threats: Flights forced to make emergency landings after series of alerts
Flights have been forced to land in France, Bulgaria and Belgium after receiving bomb alerts, the latest in a series of such incidents across Europe.
Bomb threats have forced airliners to make unplanned landings across Europe, the latest in a series of threats targeting flights in Europe.
An Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome landed safely at Evreux airport, 100km west of Paris, after being diverted as a security precaution, the Irish airline said on Thursday.
All 151 passengers and six crew members are safe and military bomb defusal teams are examining the plane, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu’s office said.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Belgian media reported that an airliner forced to land at Brussels’ Zaventem airport belonged to the Polish airline LOT.
A Finnair plane from Helsinki was safely escorted to its scheduled landing in Rome by the Italian air force, a source close to the matter said.
Bulgarian officials reported three aircraft making emergency landings because of bomb threats.
Airplanes flying from Copenhagen and Madrid landed in Sofia, the interior minister said, according to broadcaster bTV.
A third aircraft, from London, landed in Plovdiv, local media said.
On Tuesday, at least seven flights and a cruise ship received bomb threats, causing disruption at airports across Europe, although no devices were discovered.
While no country has attributed blame for the threats, they come at a time when European officials have been blaming both Russia and Iran for what they describe as “hybrid attacks” and acts of sabotage.
Moscow and Tehran both deny any such campaign.
Several flights across Europe received hoax bomb threats this week that prompted searches, diversions and, in one case, an escort by the Italian air force until landing, officials said.
The flights included Polish airline LOT, Scandinavian Airlines, Wizz Air and Ryanair.
The hoax threats came a day after a plane headed for Bulgaria was diverted to Hungary after receiving a similar bomb threat while in the air.
No one was injured.
Such threats are not a new phenomenon but come at a time of increased geopolitical tensions and signs of “disruption”, such as attacks on supermarket refrigeration systems, drone incursions in Europe and mysterious triggers to alert apps - even as authorities have warned that hybrid threats abound.
with AP
