Europe faces wave of hoax bomb threats against flights
- Eight passenger flights across five European countries were targeted by bomb threats.
- Italian Eurofighters were scrambled to escort a Ryanair flight to Rome.
- Security experts suggest the hoaxes align with Russian hybrid warfare tactics.
- No explosive devices were found during searches of the affected aircraft.
- Operations have resumed across European airports following safety clearances.
Eight passenger flights across five European countries were targeted by bomb threats, resulting in diversions, emergency landings, and security searches.
Security personnel searched the affected aircraft using sniffer dogs and bomb disposal units, but they found no explosives and declared the alerts to be hoaxes, according to CNN.
Military jets scramble to escort targeted flights
An Italian Air Force jet escorted one of the flights to Rome, and an airport in Warsaw was briefly closed due to the security situation.
Specific incidents across European airports
A security search of the aircraft yielded no explosive devices.
An SAS flight from Copenhagen to Warsaw landed at Chopin airport as scheduled, where authorities confirmed the absence of explosive devices. Seven flights were grounded across the continent as part of the wider series of bomb threats.
Bulgaria's transport ministry reported threats against a Wizz Air flight from Milan/Bergamo and a Ryanair flight from Dublin to Sofia. The Wizz Air flight carried 176 passengers, while the Ryanair flight carried 186, with both landing safely and no explosives found.
A Ryanair flight from Manchester to Murcia prompted a partial cordon at Murcia airport, though the alert was cleared without impacting other operations. Threats were also directed at Wizz Air and Ryanair flights travelling to Sofia and southeastern Spain. Aer Lingus is a Dublin-based airline and a subsidiary of International Airlines Group.
Security search of cruise ship in Greece
Greek authorities deployed explosives specialists and divers to search the hull of the Panama-flagged cruise ship Crown Iris while it was docked at the island of Syros. The vessel, which was bound for Israel, had been targeted by a bomb threat.
Initial inspections of the Crown Iris confirmed that no explosive devices were present on board.
Experts link incidents to hybrid warfare
Security experts link the recent wave of hoax bomb threats to broader hybrid warfare and sabotage efforts.
He stated, "The lack of clear target state, airline, or route indicates that general disruption to aviation operations is the aim".
Schouten stated, "From railways to the food infrastructure that you see happening with the fridges being hacked and all kinds of other operations, it does fit the narrative of Russian state actors who want to disturb Europe".
European officials have attributed recent hybrid attacks and sabotage to Russia and Iran, though both nations deny involvement.
No group claims responsibility for hoaxes
No group has claimed responsibility for the bomb threats.
Operations resume after safety checks
Multiple bomb threats were received against flights across Europe on Tuesday, leading to airport disruptions, though no explosive devices were discovered.
A Bulgarian Interior Ministry official initially claimed a flight from Israel was affected, but authorities later clarified this was incorrect.
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