Bomb threats target at least eight flights across Europe; several diverted for emergency landings
Threats prompt airport responses
Authorities said multiple flights across Europe made emergency landings Thursday after bomb threats forced diversions. At least eight flights from six cities were confirmed targeted; some went to other airports, while others landed at their planned destinations.
Czech police prepared for four planes to land at Prague’s Vaclav Havel Airport after receiving a report of explosive devices on board. Police said they had activated the required security measures. Inspections reported so far have found no hazardous or suspicious materials.
Flights diverted or inspected
A Dublin-to-Rome flight diverted to a military air base at Evreux in Normandy, the French prime minister’s office said. The plane landed safely, and all 151 passengers and six crew members were safe as military bomb disposal teams examined it. Finnair said Flight 1761 from Helsinki to Rome was targeted, but nothing unusual was found after it landed in Rome, Finnish broadcaster Yle reported.
Three Sofia-bound flights affected
Three Ryanair flights heading to Sofia made emergency landings because of threats. Flights from Copenhagen and Madrid landed safely at Sofia’s Vasil Levski Airport, airport officials said. A third flight, traveling from London’s Stansted Airport to Sofia, diverted to Plovdiv and landed safely, said Krassimir Peshev, the airport’s chief executive.
Earlier threats raise concern
Several European flights faced hoax bomb threats earlier in the week, leading to searches and diversions. In one case, the Italian air force escorted a plane until it landed. A day before Thursday’s incidents, a Bulgaria-bound flight diverted to Hungary after a similar threat; no one was injured.
The threats came amid increased geopolitical tensions and reported disruptions, including attacks on supermarket refrigeration systems, drone incursions in Europe and unexplained alerts on apps. Authorities have warned about hybrid threats.
Key points
- At least eight flights from six European cities were targeted by bomb threats on Thursday.
- Several aircraft diverted, while others landed safely at their planned destinations.
- Inspections reported so far found no hazardous or suspicious materials.
- Earlier hoax threats this week also led to searches, diversions and a military escort.