Bomb Message Gave Larnaca Airport Plane 20-Minute Deadline

Passengers are being rescreened as the standard security procedures continue. Once this check is complete, they are expected to pass through the X-ray screening system again. The aircraft’s cabin will also be checked. If, once all the required procedures are complete, the threat is found not to be genuine, boarding is expected to resume. 

Around 190 passengers were evacuated from the plane after the threat, which was sent by fax, philenews previously reported. Heavy police and fire brigade forces, along with specially trained dogs, are at the scene, and a bomb disposal expert is expected to arrive.

The aircraft, due to depart for Rome at 11:10, was not parked at a boarding bridge when passengers and their luggage were taken off. A neighbouring aircraft was moved as a precaution. 

Transport Minister Evi Tsolaki, speaking to ANT1, said the aircraft will not take off until it has been thoroughly checked. “People shouldn’t worry. The crisis plan is in force. There are protocols and procedures in place, and the threat is being assessed,” she said. She added that the plane will take off once it is established there is no danger.

What police say

Police said in their first statement that they had activated standard protocols and that all relevant services were taking the necessary action, as part of an investigation into information received at Larnaca airport. The threat, police explained, has made it necessary to ground the specific aircraft while it is investigated. Police said the information was being assessed and investigated, and that the relevant procedures were ongoing. Further details would follow once checks were complete, police added. 

Source: In-Cyprus