Hoax Bomb Threats Disrupt Several Flights Across Europe, Including Prague and Lisbon
Dozens of commercial flights in Europe have received hoax bomb threats this week. On Friday, threats targeted at least eight aircraft at Prague airport and one Ryanair plane in Lisbon; no explosives were found.
Hoax bomb threats have disrupted air traffic in Europe this week, with dozens of commercial flights receiving them. On Friday, threats were made against at least eight aircraft arriving at or departing from the airport in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, as well as a Ryanair plane, the Irish low-cost airline, in Lisbon, Portugal. No explosives were found in any case.
Prague airport flights
A spokeswoman for Prague airport said the threats concerned incoming flights from Denmark, Spain and the United Kingdom. Among outgoing flights, those to the Netherlands, Cyprus, Romania, Italy and the United Kingdom were targeted.
The Lisbon flight
A Ryanair aircraft scheduled to depart from Lisbon for Rome was also threatened. Portuguese police said the plane was inspected and no explosives were found.
What is known about the source
No one has yet claimed responsibility. On Thursday, the news agency AFP reported that emails containing threats to the airports of Rome and Sofia were signed "Fighters of the Men's State". AFP had seen the text of the message. A radical organisation called "Men's State" operates in Russia, but AFP cannot confirm that this movement sent the emails.
The hoax threats have mainly targeted low-cost airlines and flights to or from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Italy.
Consequences
Three flights were diverted, but all aircraft landed safely. At least five planes were escorted by air force aircraft after the threats were received.
