Bomb hoax: Fighter jets deployed

21 September 2013 03:09 pm Views - 6575

Typhoon fighter jets of the Royal Air Force were scrambled on Friday night after reports of a disturbance on an aircraft, the UK's Ministry of Defence has confirmed.

An international flight from Sri Lanka to London Heathrow was forced to make an emergency landing at Stansted Airport after the disturbance, and two men were arrested by Essex Police

The Sri Lankan airlines flight was carrying 267 passengers and crew from Colombo to Heathrow Airport when it was diverted mid-air to the Essex Airport.

An MOD spokesman said: “We can confirm that Typhoon aircraft from RAF Coningsby were launched today to investigate after reports of a disturbance on an Airbus travelling from Colombo in Sri Lanka to Heathrow. While the Typhoons were en route the situation was resolved and the Airbus landed safely at Stansted.

Essex Police said they arrested two men “on suspicion of endangering an aircraft” at the international airport yesterday after the plane touched down at 7.30pm.

An Essex Police spokesmen said: “Officers boarded a Sri Lankan Airlines A330 Airbus bound for Heathrow which was diverted to Stansted after it landed at just after 7.30pm yesterday evening (Friday, September 20) and arrested a 49-year-old male passenger and a 57-year-old male passenger.

“The 49-year-old is currently receiving medical treatment in hospital and the other is in custody at Harlow police station.

“They will be interviewed by detectives. The incident is being treated as a criminal investigation.

“All passengers left the aircraft safely and have travelled onwards to Heathrow by coach.”(Cambridge News)