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Sochi 2014: US warns airlines of Russia 'toothpaste' bomb threat Sochi 2014: US warns airlines of Russia 'toothpaste' bomb threat
(about 1 hour later)
The US has warned airlines with direct flights to Russia that explosives hidden in toothpaste tubes could be smuggled onto planes.The US has warned airlines with direct flights to Russia that explosives hidden in toothpaste tubes could be smuggled onto planes.
The Department of Homeland Security's warning comes on the eve of the Winter Olympics' opening ceremony in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi. The Department of Homeland Security's warning comes ahead of the Winter Olympics' opening ceremony in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi.
It said it shared relevant information with partners at home and abroad "out of an abundance of caution". It said it was not aware of any specific danger to the US at this time.
But it was not aware of any specific danger to the US at this time. Russia banned all liquids, pastes and gels from its airports and internal flights last month.
Volgograd bombings The move was part of a significant tightening of security in the country ahead of the Olympic Games, the BBC's Daniel Sandford reports from Sochi.
Unnamed security officials were quoted as saying there were fears toothpaste tubes could be used to smuggle explosives which could then be used to assemble a bomb either in flight or upon arrival at the Olympics. The Russian authorities have not yet commented on the US warning.
The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that although it is "not aware of a specific threat... this routine communication is an important part of our commitment to making sure we meet that priority". The CEO of the Olympic Organising Committee, Dmitry Chernyshenko, told the BBC on Wednesday that, due to the security measures in place, Sochi was probably the safest place in the world right now.
Although the Games do not officially start until Friday, some qualifying events are now being held.
'Abundance of caution'
Unnamed US security officials were quoted as saying there were fears toothpaste tubes could be used to smuggle explosives which could then be used to assemble a bomb either in flight or upon arrival at the Olympics.
The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that "out of an abundance of caution" it "regularly shares relevant information with domestic and international partners".
"While we are not aware of a specific threat to the homeland at this time, this routine communication is an important part of our commitment to making sure we meet that priority," it added.
The White House National Security Council said the latest threat had not altered existing travel guidelines for Sochi.The White House National Security Council said the latest threat had not altered existing travel guidelines for Sochi.
"If we should receive information in the coming days and weeks that changes our assessment of whether people should travel to Sochi, we will make that information public," spokeswoman Laura Magnuson told US media."If we should receive information in the coming days and weeks that changes our assessment of whether people should travel to Sochi, we will make that information public," spokeswoman Laura Magnuson told US media.
The US has also placed two warships in the Black Sea in case of a security breach during the games, scheduled for 7-23 February. 'Olympic Truce'
Fears were raised following two suicide attacks in Volgograd in December, and numerous threats from Islamist militants in the Caucasus region. Fears about security for the Games were heightened following two suicide attacks in Volgograd in December, as well as numerous threats from Islamist militants in the Caucasus region.
Two failed attempts have been made in recent years to detonate explosives on airliners. The US has also placed two warships in the Black Sea in case of a security breach during the games.
Briton Richard Reid tried to set off a bomb packed in his shoes on a Miami-bound flight in 2001, while Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab attempted to trigger explosives hidden in his underwear on a plane to Detroit in 2009. On the eve of the Games, Russia's foreign ministry issued an appeal for "parties to all armed conflicts" to declare an Olympic Truce.
"Our call is primarily addressed to the sides of the blood-letting in Syria," the ministry said in a statement.
Air travellers are restricted to carrying liquids - which include pastes, creams, gels and drinks - in containers no larger than 100ml (3.4 ounces).
Sweeping changes to airport security regulations were brought in after three Britons were arrested for plotting to bring down transatlantic airliners with home-made liquid explosives disguised as soft drinks in August 2006.