Bomb threat on SATA Azores Airlines plane to Bilbão meant to be “a bit of a laugh”
What was reportedly meant to be “a bit of a laugh” among friends, led to Lisbon airport issuing a red notice and temporarily closing down air traffic as officials raced to evacuate a plane on which ‘supposedly’ there was a bomb.
There was no bomb, but no-one could have known that. Thus all the official protocols were followed: air traffic was brought to a screeching standstill in the blaze of the early afternoon heat; passengers were questioned and then evacuated from the plane that had been obliged to make an emergency landing, luggage was minutely inspected and “dozens of airport staff, firefighters and their vehicles from Lisbon fire stations were mobilised”.
According to reports, it quickly became clear that the bomb threat was made on board the flight, through a series of texts. It took very little time to identify the phone from which the texts were made, and arrest the suspect (and his friend).
The plane, which had left Ponta Delgada, in the Azores, in the morning, destined for Bilbão Spain, was able to resume its journey some eight hours later, minus two passengers: the suspect, and the friend who had presumably agreed that it would be a “bit of a laugh” to pretend there was a bomb on board.
According to Lusa, however, only the suspect is remaining in custody. He will be kept in police cells through the weekend, before being presented before a judge on Monday.
source material: LUSA/ SIC Notícias
