Hoax Bomb Threats Disrupt at Least 7 Flights Across Europe
A wave of bomb threats disrupted flights across Europe on Tuesday, forcing diversions, runway closures and security sweeps at airports in Italy, Poland, Spain and Bulgaria. So far, no explosives have been reported found on any of the planes.
At least six flights were targeted on Tuesday alone, following another threat against a flight from London on Monday. Authorities have not said whether the threats are linked, and no one has claimed responsibility.
Two Ryanair Flights Escorted to Rome
In Italy, two separate Ryanair flights landed at Rome's Fiumicino airport after emails claimed there were bombs on board. One was flying from Lisbon and the other from Dublin. The Italian air force escorted the Dublin flight to Rome, The Associated Press reported.
Police bomb disposal experts checked passengers, crew and luggage on both planes and found no explosives.
A third Ryanair flight, from Manchester, England, to Murcia, Spain, was met by Spain's Civil Guard, National Police and bomb disposal experts after a threat was reported about three hours into the flight. The 114 passengers and seven crew members were taken off the plane for security checks.
Francisco Lucas, the Spanish government's delegate in the Murcia region, later said the Civil Guard had "ruled out the presence of explosives" on the plane, according to ITV News.
Warsaw Airports Hit Twice
Two flights bound for Warsaw were also targeted. A LOT Polish Airlines flight from London Heathrow carrying 181 people was diverted to Warsaw Modlin airport, which temporarily closed after the alert. The alert was issued at 9:54 a.m., and the plane landed just seven minutes later, according to the airport. It landed safely, and LOT said "nothing was found on the aircraft."
Separately, SAS said a threat had been made against a flight from Copenhagen to Warsaw Chopin airport. The plane landed as scheduled, and passengers got off while one runway was closed for a security inspection. SAS said the matter had been referred to Polish police, and authorities later said the threat was not confirmed.
Both Warsaw airports have since resumed normal operations.
Fighter Jets Scrambled in Hungary
In Bulgaria, a Wizz Air flight from Bergamo, Italy, to Sofia was inspected after landing Tuesday morning, a Bulgarian interior ministry spokesperson said, according to RTÉ.
The threats began a day earlier. On Monday, a Wizz Air flight from London Luton to Sofia received a bomb threat in the air and was diverted to Budapest, Hungary. Hungarian Defense Minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi said Hungarian Air Force Gripen fighter jets "took to the air within minutes" to intercept the plane and escort it safely to Budapest's Liszt Ferenc airport.
"The safety of passengers and crew remains our highest priority," a Wizz Air spokesperson said. Inspections of the plane and passengers found no threat.
Days earlier, on Sunday, an Austrian Airlines flight from Tel Aviv to Vienna was also rerouted to Bulgaria after a bomb threat. No explosives were found.
Investigations Underway
It is not yet clear who is behind the threats or whether they are connected. At least some were sent by email, according to officials in Italy and Bulgaria.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority said it was aware of media reports but could not comment on the incidents.
While no one was hurt, the hoaxes caused delays and stress for hundreds of travelers, many of whom were forced off planes for security screenings far from their intended destinations. Passengers on the diverted LOT flight, for example, had to clear border control at Modlin before being bused to Chopin airport.
Travelers flying in Europe this week may want to allow extra time and check with their airlines for the latest updates.
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