False Bomb Threat Triggers Security Scare on El Al Flight in Sofia
Translated & summarized from JDN by baba
A bomb threat email prompted a major security response at Sofia International Airport for an El Al flight arriving from Israel. Special units searched the plane and luggage, finding no explosives. Authorities believe it was a false alarm, part of a wider series of hoaxes across Europe.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- An El Al flight from Israel to Sofia, Bulgaria, was subjected to a bomb threat via email.
- Bulgarian authorities deployed counter-terrorism and bomb disposal units to search the aircraft.
- The security sweep found no explosives, and the incident was declared a false alarm.
- Officials suspect the threat was a hoax, part of a series of similar false alarms in Europe.
- El Al flight LY551, arriving at 10:45 AM, is believed to be the flight in question.
A significant security operation was launched at Sofia International Airport in Bulgaria on Tuesday after an email threat claiming a bomb was planted on an arriving El Al flight from Israel. Special counter-terrorism units and explosive ordnance disposal teams were dispatched to the scene. They conducted thorough searches of the aircraft and passenger luggage. Bulgarian security authorities ultimately determined there was no danger, ruling out any terrorist or hostile incident. Security officials suspect the threat was a hoax from a prankster, part of a wave of false alarms affecting four European countries that day. While Bulgarian authorities did not officially confirm the airline or flight number, flight data indicates that El Al flight LY551, which landed at 10:45 AM, was the only commercial flight from Israel to Sofia that day.
