Two arrested on suspicion of terrorism after ‘potential security threat’ on Ryanair flight
Passengers left plane unharmed at Stansted, airline says
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Two men have been arrested on suspicion of terror offences after RAF jets were forced to escort a Ryanair flight into the UK.
Typhoons were scrambled from RAF Coninsgby to intercept a passenger flight from Vienna to Stansted on Sunday night following a “potential security threat”.
Reports suggested suspicious items had been found in the toilets of the passenger jet.
A Ryanair spokesperson said: “The crew of a Ryanair flight from Vienna to London Stansted this evening [Sunday] alerted of a potential security threat on board.
“In line with procedures, the captain informed UK authorities and continued to London Stansted, where the aircraft landed normally and taxied to a remote stand where passengers disembarked safely.
“Passengers in London Stansted waiting to depart to Vienna were transferred to a spare aircraft to minimise the delay to their flight.”
Essex Police said it had arrested two men on suspicion of terrorism.
A spokesperson said: ”Counter-terrorism policing officers from the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit have this evening [Sunday] detained two men under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act (2000).
“A 34-year-old man from Kuwait and a 48-year-old man from Italy were detained at London Stansted Airport, Essex, shortly after 7pm after arriving on a flight from Vienna, Austria.
“Enquiries are ongoing.”