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Easyjet plane diverts to Stansted after security alert | Easyjet plane diverts to Stansted after security alert |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A passenger jet was diverted to Stansted Airport in Essex following a security alert. | A passenger jet was diverted to Stansted Airport in Essex following a security alert. |
The Easyjet plane, with 151 passengers on board, had been travelling from Hamburg in Germany to Luton. | The Easyjet plane, with 151 passengers on board, had been travelling from Hamburg in Germany to Luton. |
The flight landed at about 17:30 BST and was met by the police who boarded the plane, an Easyjet spokesman confirmed. | The flight landed at about 17:30 BST and was met by the police who boarded the plane, an Easyjet spokesman confirmed. |
Essex Police said the passengers were safe and well and the plane was expected to be cleared to fly to Luton. | Essex Police said the passengers were safe and well and the plane was expected to be cleared to fly to Luton. |
Stansted is the UK's designated airport for security incidents involving aircraft. | |
In a statement, Easyjet said the Airbus A319 aircraft, which also has six crew, had been diverted as a "precautionary measure". | In a statement, Easyjet said the Airbus A319 aircraft, which also has six crew, had been diverted as a "precautionary measure". |
'Boy led away' | |
"We would like to thank passengers for their patience and apologise for any inconvenience caused," it said. | "We would like to thank passengers for their patience and apologise for any inconvenience caused," it said. |
"Easyjet will transfer passengers to Luton Airport as soon as we can." | "Easyjet will transfer passengers to Luton Airport as soon as we can." |
A police spokesman said the force was initially alerted to a potential security threat, but cleared the incident at 19:00 BST with the assistance of the Border Force. | |
No passengers were forced to disembark the aircraft, he said. | No passengers were forced to disembark the aircraft, he said. |
John Hobbs-Morris, a passenger on the aircraft, said a youth football team was travelling on the plane and one of the boys' passports was taken. | |
He said the boy was led away but then returned. | He said the boy was led away but then returned. |
'Complete cock-up' | |
Speaking via Twitter, he said: "Everything under control. The kid had same name as someone on wanted list! | Speaking via Twitter, he said: "Everything under control. The kid had same name as someone on wanted list! |
"Police gone and told we can fly to Luton." | "Police gone and told we can fly to Luton." |
After the plane arrived at Luton, Mr Hobbs-Morris, from Hitchin, Hertfordshire, said: "It wasn't until we landed that the captain said we were at Stansted, not Luton, and I looked out of the window and saw that we were. | |
"He just said there was a threat to the plane." | |
He said the boy whose passport was taken was "distraught". | |
"It seemed to be a complete cock-up," he said. | |
"It happened to be a case of mistaken identity." |