Hoax bomb threats disrupt seven flights across Europe
At least seven passenger flights bound for Warsaw, Sofia, Rome and Murcia were searched after bomb threats on Tuesday, including a Ryanair flight from Manchester and a LOT flight from London diverted to Warsaw’s Modlin airport. No devices were found. The government called them “malicious hoax threats”; no one has claimed responsibility.
The Italian Air Force escorted a Ryanair flight from Dublin to Rome, and an Israel-bound cruise ship was searched in Greece. Rhys Jones of Osprey Flight Solutions called seven threats in a day exceptional: “The lack of clear target state, airline, or route indicates that general disruption to aviation operations is the aim.” Officials have attributed no blame, but the threats come as European governments accuse Russia and Iran of “hybrid attacks” and sabotage. Authorities will co-operate on whether the threats were co-ordinated.