Bomb Threat Grounds Ryanair Flight, Charleroi Airport Locked Down
A Ryanair flight from Porto sparked panic today, forcing Charleroi Airport in Belgium to slam shut.
Just before 11am local time (9am GMT), a bomb threat was flagged onboard the plane moments after landing. Authorities instantly sealed off the scene.
Airport Shut, Runway Closed
“A security perimeter was established around the aircraft, requiring the closure of the runway and the suspension of operations,”
confirmed an airport spokesperson.
Emergency teams, including bomb disposal experts, swarmed the plane. The aircraft remains surrounded, but passengers have not been evacuated yet, local outlet RTL reports.
Belgium’s Second-Busiest Airport on Lockdown
Charleroi Airport, just south of Brussels, is Belgium’s second largest and a major hub for budget carrier Ryanair. All flights in and out were suspended by midday as a precaution.
Photos from the scene show the Ryanair jet isolated on the tarmac with no ground services operating, while security presence remains heavy.
“The relevant authorities have taken over. Belgian national security and aviation officials are managing the threat,”
the spokesperson added.
Ongoing Investigation as Europe Faces Rising Flight Security Scares
This incident follows a string of flight-related security scares across Europe lately. However, no explosive device has been found on this particular flight.
Authorities continue to investigate the threat’s origin and decide on next steps for passengers and crew. More updates are expected soon as the tense situation unfolds.
