Crimeupdated 1h ago2 min read
Archive photo · 13 March 2019Czech Police Say No Bombs After Threats Target Four Flights To Prague
9 Western Mainstream6 West Asian2 Asian4 Other source typesPhoto: CAPTAIN RAJU, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cropped for layout
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No explosives found on four Prague-bound flights after bomb threats. At least seven European flights targeted with diversions or fighter-jet escorts.
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Prague-bound planes checked
Czech police said they were preparing for landing of four flights heading to Prague after receiving a threat regarding the placement of an improvised explosive device, and the police assessed the relevance of the threats as low. Czech police also said pyrotechnic inspections would be conducted on all aircraft after landing, while the Václav Havel Airport in Prague told CNN the threats were made in an anonymous email.
Czech police later told CNN, "The operation at the airport is over, there were no bombs and everyone is safe," as authorities reported no explosive devices were found. A BBC report said there were no explosives found on the four planes heading to Prague which received threats, and it added that Czech police were preparing to receive four flights after threats about an "improvised explosive device."
Diversions across Europe
A Wizz Air spokesperson told the BBC that a diversion was initiated after a bomb threat was received during the flight from Milan Malpensa to Warsaw, and the airline said the safety of passengers and crew was the highest priority. MiG-29 fighter jets took off from Bulgaria's Graf Ignatievo Air Base at 10:11 local time to intercept and escort the civilian aircraft after three Ryanair flights to Sofia, from Copenhagen, Madrid and London, were reportedly targeted by suspected bomb threats.
Italian air force fighter jets escorted a Finnair flight from Helsinki to Rome Fiumicino Airport after receiving a bomb threat, and the operation was over with no bombs discovered. NBC News said an Aer Lingus flight EI402 from Dublin to Rome was diverted to a French Air Force base, and it reported that all 151 passengers and six crew aboard the flight had been moved to a safe place.
Threats, hoaxes, and response
The incident comes amid a series of similar bomb threats affecting several airlines across Europe in recent days, and no explosive devices have been found. Tuesday's incidents turned out to be hoaxes, and no sign of dangerous materials in Thursday's threats has been reported as yet.
The Guardian quoted the Czech police confirmation that they received reports of "an improvised explosive device" against four planes heading to Prague, and the threats were assessed as low while pyrotechnic inspections would be conducted on all aircraft. No one claimed responsibility for Tuesday's threats and nor were any explosive devices found, while the Prague airport threats were made in an anonymous email and the crisis committee was convened.
