Bomb threats force multiple European flights to be diverted or escorted

Bomb threats received by airports in several European countries on Thursday caused the diversion of at least 14 flights and prompted the escort of others by military aircraft, although all inspections have found no explosive devices.

In Italy, a Finnair flight from Helsinki was escorted into Rome by Italian Air Force fighter jets, while an Aer Lingus flight from Dublin was diverted to Evreux air base in Normandy, France.

Other affected routes included flights diverted to Milan, Sofia, Prague, Brussels, Bucharest and Vienna.

Airport operators and national transport ministries said searches and inspections were completed without finding any threats.

"It is too early to draw conclusions on whether the reported incidents are linked," EU transport commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas said, adding that national investigations are ongoing and that an EU-level information-sharing mechanism has been activated.

The threats were traced to an email sent to a logistics firm serving Rome Fiumicino Airport, allegedly from a group calling itself “The Male State.” The email claimed explosive devices were placed on two flights to Rome and threatened the airport staff.

"You’re all complicit in a criminal plot, we want to annihilate you for this," the memo read, according to a spokesperson for the airport.

Colombian officials suggested the email account might have been hacked, and the logistics firm declined to comment.

British transport minister Heidi Alexander described the incidents as “malicious hoax” threats and said established procedures for dealing with such hoaxes were being followed.

Airlines arranged alternative transport for passengers on diverted flights, and airports reported normal operations after the security checks were completed.