This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-35144471
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Air France flight makes emergency landing in Kenya over bomb scare | Air France flight makes emergency landing in Kenya over bomb scare |
(35 minutes later) | |
Authorities in Kenya are examining a suspect package that forced an Air France flight from Mauritius to Paris to make an emergency landing in Kenya. | Authorities in Kenya are examining a suspect package that forced an Air France flight from Mauritius to Paris to make an emergency landing in Kenya. |
The pilots of the Boeing 777 requested to land at Moi International Airport in the capital Mombasa after the suspect item was found in a toilet. | The pilots of the Boeing 777 requested to land at Moi International Airport in the capital Mombasa after the suspect item was found in a toilet. |
Both the aircraft and airport were safely evacuated while the item was removed from the plane. | Both the aircraft and airport were safely evacuated while the item was removed from the plane. |
Authorities in Kenya said they were questioning several passengers. | Authorities in Kenya said they were questioning several passengers. |
"Bomb experts from the Navy and DCI (Directorate of Criminal Investigations) have retrieved the device and are determining whether the components contained explosives," the government said in a statement. | |
Joseph Nkaissery, cabinet secretary at Kenya's ministry of interior, said authorities from France and Mauritius were helping with the investigation. | |
"We are in touch with Mauritius to know how security screening of passengers was done," Mr Nkaissery said. "A few passengers are being interrogated," he added. | "We are in touch with Mauritius to know how security screening of passengers was done," Mr Nkaissery said. "A few passengers are being interrogated," he added. |
Flights have now resumed from Moi International Airport, Kenya's airport authority said. | Flights have now resumed from Moi International Airport, Kenya's airport authority said. |
The plane was carrying 459 passengers and 14 crew members and had left Mauritius at 01:00 GMT, Mr Owino said. | The plane was carrying 459 passengers and 14 crew members and had left Mauritius at 01:00 GMT, Mr Owino said. |
It had been due to fly directly to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. | It had been due to fly directly to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. |
One of those on board, Benoit Lucchini, said passengers were calm and were told by the crew that the plane was being diverted because of a technical problem. | One of those on board, Benoit Lucchini, said passengers were calm and were told by the crew that the plane was being diverted because of a technical problem. |
"The plane just went down, slowly, slowly, slowly, so we just realised probably, something was wrong," he said. | "The plane just went down, slowly, slowly, slowly, so we just realised probably, something was wrong," he said. |
"But the personnel of Air France were just great, just wonderful. So they keep everybody calm and really quiet." | "But the personnel of Air France were just great, just wonderful. So they keep everybody calm and really quiet." |