Bomb Threat On Plane In Romanian Airport

According to Emergency Inspectorate commander Mihai Benga, the bomb threat was announced by the captain of a plane belonging to low cost airline Wizzair. The plane took off from Timisoara at around 6.30 a.m. local time, but landed just minutes later. The 165 passengers were evacuated and the airport’s control tower alerted anti-terrorist, Police, Gendarmerie and Fire Department forces.

Director Cornel Samartinean said the airport has not been closed.

Wizzair officials said the bomb threat was not on one of their planes. Bomb squads are currently ckecking another flight, of airliner Carpatair. The plane took off from Bucharest Wednesday morning and landed in Timisoara. Company officials said they have not been informed of any threat aboard any of their planes.

Romanian Terror Fighting Service Seeks Airport Bomb Threat Caller

Romanian prosecutors with the organized crime and terrorism service said Wednesday they have started an investigation to see who alerted authorities about a potential bomb threat aboard a plane on the international airport in Timisoara.

Chief prosecutor Codrut Olaru said the service is looking to identify the person who alerted authorities and caused panic, but declined to provide any case details.

A flight of Romanian airliner Carpatair that took of Wednesday morning from Bucharest and landed in Timisoara was checked following suspicions of a bomb threat aboard, but company officials denied any such threat.

People close to the investigation told MEDIAFAX the threat was false.