Symbolic imageSecond wave of bomb threats hits European flights, no explosives found
Hoax bomb threats forced diversions and emergency landings of European flights on Thursday, two days after a first wave. All planes landed safely and searches found nothing.
Counts differ: the Guardian reports at least 25 threats on Thursday, 5 November, across 16 countries, while Le Monde counted twelve flights by midday. An Aer Lingus A320 from Dublin to Rome landed at Evreux airbase in France, and Bulgarian fighter jets escorted three Ryanair flights bound for Sofia, one of them diverted to Plovdiv. Czech police rated the threats against four Prague-bound planes as low in credibility. The Guardian puts the week's total at 34 flights, after seven were hit on Tuesday.
Male State claim
Emails to the Rome and Sofia airports were signed "fighters of the Male State", a Russian far-right movement, according to the Guardian citing Aeroporti di Roma sources and AFP. Its founder did not claim responsibility on Telegram.
Culprit unclear
Investigators told the Guardian there is no evidence of a hostile group or state behind the hoaxes. The Jerusalem Post notes that European officials accuse Russia and Iran of hybrid attacks, which both deny.
Pilot under investigation
Evreux prosecutors opened a case against the Aer Lingus pilot, who allegedly refused to land at a military airport, Le Monde reports.