Turkish Airlines plane searched after bomb hoax

ISTANBUL - Anadolu Agency

Reuters Photo

A Turkish Airlines plane was searched in Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport late Aug. 4 after a false bomb threat ahead of its flight to the southeastern province of Gaziantep.

The cabin crew found a note under a seat which said “there is a bomb on the plane” while cleaning the plane before the arrival of the passengers for the flight.

After the note was found, authorities informed the police as part of the safety procedure and the plane was taken to the apron parking area for a detailed search, which discovered no explosives or other devices. The Gaziantep-bound passengers were directed to another plane. An investigation has been launched into the incident. 

Meanwhile, another THY plane was searched after a false bomb alert on Aug. 1 in Atatürk Airport.

Soon after the THY plane took off at 4:40 p.m. from Erzincan Airport with 165 passengers aboard, the Erzincan Air Traffic Control Tower received a warning call about a bomb on the plane. 

Shortly after landing in Istanbul Atatürk Airport, the plane was taken to a safe area and a search was conducted, resulting in no dangerous items found on board.