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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Three held after Heathrow alert | Three held after Heathrow alert |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Police have arrested three men on a plane at London's Heathrow Airport on suspicion of making a bomb threat. | |
| Armed officers boarded the Dubai-bound Emirates flight after verbal threats were made to air crew. | |
| The Metropolitan Police said the three men, aged aged 58, 48 and 36, were in police custody. | |
| The incident comes amid heightened tension at airports across the world following an unsuccessful attempt to bomb an airliner on Christmas Day. | |
| The Metropolitan Police said police were called after a "verbal threat was made to staff". | |
| "They have been arrested on suspicion of making a bomb threat," the force said. | |
| Police are searching the aircraft, which had 331 passengers on board, and it is understood no dangerous substances have been found. | |
| Rescheduled departure | |
| The other passengers were eventually taken off the aircraft and driven to a hotel for the night, ahead of a rescheduled departure later on Saturday. | |
| A statement from Emirates said: "Following remarks made as Emirates flight EK004 prepared to depart London Heathrow for Dubai (yesterday) evening, crew alerted the Metropolitan Police who subsequently boarded the aircraft and detained three passengers. | |
| "The safety and security of all our passengers is paramount. Police are currently assessing the situation and we apologise for the inconvenience to our passengers." | |
| The threat was made at 2115 GMT on the aircraft, which was due to have taken off for Dubai. | |
| It is thought the suspects were all British men who were sitting in economy. | |
| One passenger told Sky News armed police boarded a flight and took a man off in handcuffs. | One passenger told Sky News armed police boarded a flight and took a man off in handcuffs. |
| Cameron McLean said: "Police just swarmed the guy and rushed him out. | Cameron McLean said: "Police just swarmed the guy and rushed him out. |
| "I think he was a white male. There was another one but I didn't see him." | "I think he was a white male. There was another one but I didn't see him." |
| He said the man was taken out in handcuffs, then sniffer dogs were brought on board. | He said the man was taken out in handcuffs, then sniffer dogs were brought on board. |
| Extra bag checks, body searches and on board regulations have seen travellers in London wait up to three hours before their flights take off, following the failed bombing. | |
| Are you on Emirates flight EK004? Are you at Heathrow airport? | Are you on Emirates flight EK004? Are you at Heathrow airport? |
| Send your comments using the post form below. | Send your comments using the post form below. |
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