Fake Bomb Threats Ground Flights Across Europe, Stirring Security Concerns
A series of hoax alerts have forced diversions, fighter jet deployments, and widespread travel disruption, prompting scepticism among citizens.
For many voters the repeated fake bomb alerts – the second such incident this week – underscore growing concerns about security, as BBC Verify confirmed the threats were passed on via air traffic control.
The wave of hoaxes has already diverted and grounded dozens of flights across Europe, and in response some countries have even scrambled fighter jets to patrol the skies.
Officials note that all the threats have so far been hoaxes, a detail reported from London by Imtiaz Tyab, highlighting the disruption caused to ordinary travelers.
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Original reporting
BBC News
Bomb hoaxes: Messages reveal how threat was passed on by air traffic control
BBC Verify has been analysing messages after flights across Europe were targeted by fake bomb threats - the second such incident this week.
Read the original →CBS News
Dozens of planes targeted by bomb threats in Europe in apparent hoax
A wave of bomb threats has diverted and grounded dozens of flights in Europe in recent days, prompting some countries to scramble their fighter jets in response to what, so far, has all been a hoax. Imtiaz Tyab reports from London.
Read the original →
Facts this version was allowed to use
- Flights across Europe were targeted by fake bomb threats.
- It was the second such incident that week, according to BBC Verify.
- BBC Verify analysed messages about how the threat was passed on by air traffic control.
- A wave of bomb threats diverted and grounded dozens of flights in Europe in recent days.
- Dozens of flights in Europe were diverted and grounded by bomb threats in recent days.
- Some countries scrambled fighter jets in response to the threats.
- The threats have so far all been a hoax.
- Imtiaz Tyab reported from London.
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