Seven aircraft grounded in Europe after bomb threats
A wave of bomb threats has disrupted nearly 30 flights across Europe, forcing some aircraft to make emergency landings and others to be grounded. Bulgaria confirmed threats targeting flights from Dublin and Bergamo. While some reports specify seven grounded aircraft and others four landings, the threats have been identified as hoaxes. The disruption extended to Australia, where armed Australian Federal Police met a flight in Sydney overnight following threats sent to the airport. Some flights received fighter jet escorts during the security alerts.
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- ✓ Bomb threats targeted nearly 30 flights across Europe.
- ✓ The bomb threats against European flights were hoaxes.
- ✓ Bulgaria confirmed bomb threats against flights arriving from Dublin and Bergamo.
- ✓ Armed Australian Federal Police met a flight in Sydney overnight due to threats sent to the airport.
What changed
Reports now indicate the number of affected flights has risen to nearly 30 and includes a security scare at Sydney Airport.
Live updates
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Hoax bomb threats disrupt nearly 30 European flights
A wave of bomb threats has disrupted nearly 30 flights across Europe, forcing some aircraft to make emergency landings and others to be grounded. Bulgaria confirmed threats targeting flights from Dublin and Bergamo. While some reports specify seven grounded aircraft and others four landings, the threats have been identified as hoaxes. The disruption extended to Australia, where armed Australian Federal Police met a flight in Sydney overnight following threats sent to the airport. Some flights received fighter jet escorts during the security alerts.
Why it matters
The scale of these hoaxes has led experts to suggest a deliberate act. The coordinated nature of the threats has raised concerns among officials regarding potential hybrid attacks against aviation security.
What is confirmed
- Bomb threats targeted nearly 30 flights across Europe.
- The bomb threats against European flights were hoaxes.
- Bulgaria confirmed bomb threats against flights arriving from Dublin and Bergamo.
- Armed Australian Federal Police met a flight in Sydney overnight due to threats sent to the airport.
Still unconfirmed
- The scale of the hoaxes suggests a deliberate act.
- The disruptions have raised fears of coordinated hybrid attacks.
- Fighter jets provided escorts for some of the affected flights.
What to watch next
- Official identification of the source of the hoax threats
- Statements from European aviation authorities on security protocol changes
confidence 85%Sources used for this update (11)
- www.bbc.com — BBC Home - Breaking News, World News, US News, Sports, Business...
- www.gbnews.com — Politics news: Nigel Farage sets out why UK will NEVER vote to rejoin EU in scathing attack on Andy Burnham
- The Guardian — Bulgaria confirms bomb threats against flights from Bergamo and Dublin – Europe live
- BBC — Four flights targeted by suspected bomb threats land at European airports
- Financial Times — Seven aircraft grounded in Europe after bomb threats
- The New York Times — Bomb Threats Disrupt Several Flights Across Europe
- AL.com — Airplane bomb threats across Europe turn out to be hoaxes
- www.cbsnews.com — As 20 European flights get bomb threats in a day, expert says scale of hoaxes suggests "deliberate act"
- www.abc.net.au — Bomb threats spark aviation chaos across Europe as armed police meet passengers at Sydney Airport - ABC News
- cyprus-mail.com — Europe flight bomb threats raise hybrid attack fears
- mycharisma.com — Chaos in European Skies: Bomb Threats Force Flights Down, Fighter Jets Scramble
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