A Jet2 flight from Manchester Airport was grounded in Prague following a “potential bomb threat” on the plane. According to a passenger, a “threatening note” had been found in one of the aircraft’s bathrooms. Travellers were told to evacuate without their belongings on arrival at Prague Airport. Police proceeded to check all cabin baggage and interview passengers. Firefighters also arrived on the scene.
Fliers were held at a terminal gate for around four hours during the search, 26-year-old Beth Parkinson told Manchester Evening News.
She revealed that a single toilet cubicle at the front of the aircraft was locked for roughly 30 minute before the plane landed.
“We were just told the flush was broken and we should use the toilets at the back of the plane,” she told M.E.N. “Everything seemed normal during the flight.
“As soon as we landed the captain said someone had left a threatening note in a toilet and we were not to move and had to leave everything on the plane.”
Beth added that they were given water, tea and biscuits using the wait but were given no further information about the threat.
Prague Airport confirmed the incident on Twitter. They posted “Hello, @PolicieCZ checked the aircraft because of potential bomb threat.
“At the moment all cabin baggage need to be checked, estimated time is after 10 pm. Please contact handling employees on site for further information. Thank you.”
They later added: “Update: All checks are finished with negative results. The flight back to Manchester will be operated by backup aircraft around midnight. Departing PAX should contact their handling agents in the gate for additional info.”
Passengers also took to Twitter during the incident, with some claiming the threatening note was a picture of a bomb.
“Sons out there. Had to evacuate the plane and take nothing with them. No bag passport nothing. Was hoping someone could get info,” one Twitter user posted.
“Prague airport tweeted bomb scare. A picture of a bomb was found in the toilet and now al bags are searched 1 at a time. Police everywhere (sic).”
A Jet2 spokesperson told Jet2: “Czech Authorities were called to undertake security checks on one of our aircraft in Prague yesterday, due to a security alert.
“The aircraft has been cleared to return to service following these checks. We apologise to customers for any inconvenience caused, however the safety and welfare of everyone onboard will always be our number one priority.”
Express.co.uk has contacted Prague Airport for further comment on the incident.
Last week a Ryanair passenger was left needing surgery after a laptop fell on her head.
The woman – whose name and age are not known – was disembarking a Ryanair flight from London Stansted to Lisbon, Portugal when the incident took place.
It is understood she was removing her hand luggage from the overhead locker of the aircraft. As she did so, a laptop fell out and hit the passenger on the head leaving her with a 2.5cm opening on her scalp.
