"False Bomb" in Germany Disrupts 30 Flights and Affects 3,000 Passengers
Amman2 min read
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Flight operations at Stuttgart Airport in Germany were temporarily halted due to a large-scale security operation following a claim by a German man that he had a bomb in his luggage, as announced by the Federal Police.
A spokesman for the German Federal Police said that a 24-year-old man informed an airport employee, after passing through security, that he was carrying a bomb, prompting authorities to evacuate the security area and suspend all arrivals and departures for about an hour and a half, between 04:30 and 06:00 PM local time.
The measures were lifted shortly after, on Monday evening, and the police confirmed that the inspection of the affected area revealed no actual threat and that the danger could be ruled out after examining the site. Flight operations gradually resumed, and passenger checkpoints were reopened.
The police said that the man, who was preparing to travel to Hurghada, Egypt, was prevented from boarding his flight.
Preliminary investigations began with him on suspicion of disturbing public order by threatening to commit criminal offenses, before he was later released.
A spokeswoman for Stuttgart Airport said that the security measures affected about 30 flights and around 3,000 passengers.
She explained that 9 flights were completely canceled, while 9 others were diverted, mostly to Nuremberg and Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden airports, while 11 flights were delayed for up to 3 hours.
The spokeswoman added: "Evening hours are the peak time at the airport, as many flights are scheduled during this time. When a disruption occurs at this time, it is extremely difficult"
According to the police, all passengers had to undergo security screening again due to the evacuation of the security area, which took additional time until conditions returned to normal.
