Eight Flights Across Europe Hit by Bomb Threats in New Morning Wave

The update

At least eight commercial flights were affected by bomb threats on Thursday morning across Europe. An Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome was diverted to the Evreux military airbase west of Paris and escorted by French jets, with a bomb squad in place and passengers and crew moved to safety. Other flights included three Ryanair services bound for Sofia, a LOT flight from Warsaw to Brussels, a Wizz Air flight from Milan to Warsaw diverted to Vienna, and two Finnair flights from Helsinki to Rome and Vienna.

Why it matters

The threats are a new, larger wave following similar bomb threats earlier this week that prompted diversions and searches and, according to DW, turned out to be hoaxes. No explosives, injuries or arrests from Thursday’s threats had been reported in the sources checked. The disruption spans at least five countries and several major airlines in a single morning.

What to watch

Authorities in France, Bulgaria, Belgium and other countries were still inspecting aircraft and investigating the threats. Watch for search outcomes for each plane, any claim of responsibility or official attribution, airport closures or delays, and whether further flights are targeted.

Sources

• theguardian.com — live list of all eight flights affected on Thursday morning and the French bomb squad response
• dw.com — confirms unscheduled and escorted landings in France, Italy, Belgium and Bulgaria and the earlier hoax wave

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