Man detained over Ryanair bomb hoax after authorities shut down Modlin airport

A man has been detained over allegations he was responsible for a bomb hoax that caused chaos this morning. 

 

Flight FR7023 was due to take off from Modlin airport, near Warsaw when a call was made claiming there was an explosive device on board. The plane had been bound for Oslo. 

 

An emergency evacuation of the airport was carried out, with several fire engines, police and bomb disposal experts on the scene. 

 

https://twitter.com/WMI_Airport/status/613982839953039360

 

Polish police have already identified the 48-year-old man believed to be responsible for the call, and detained him at his home.

 

Warsaw police spokesman Mariusz Mrozek told Polish broadcaster TVN24: "There is no evidence that we are dealing here with an organized group, rather this was an irresponsible prank."

 

Ryanair said in a statement: “Warsaw Modlin Airport received an anonymous call that there was an explosive device on a Ryanair aircraft due to take off from Modlin to Oslo at 8.40am (7.40am BST) local time.

 

“The airport security authorities ordered an immediate inspection of the aircraft, which hadn't yet boarded, and closed the airport to inbound arrivals as a security precaution.”

 

The statement continued: “Warsaw Modlin believes this is a hoax call and expect the security sweep to confirm this fact. They expect to release the aircraft and reopen the airport shortly.

 

“Ryanair sincerely apologises to the customers of the outbound Oslo flight for any inconvenience caused.”

 

"There was and is a suspicion of an explosive. The plane landed safely and no-one was injured. The plane is being checked by bomb disposal experts," said Szymon Kozniewski, a spokesperson from the local police force, was reported as saying. 

 

Modlin airport has since reopened.