Iran or Russia Suspected in Bomb Threat Wave Across Europe
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
A six-day wave of bomb threats targeting European flights has forced 25 planes to divert, causing significant financial losses and raising passenger fears. Experts suggest state actors like Iran or Russia, or terrorist groups, may be responsible for the disruptions. European authorities are reportedly seeking advice from Israeli security experts on handling such incidents. While anonymous threats are a known security challenge, their frequency and impact are causing concern.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A six-day wave of bomb threats has forced 25 planes in Europe to divert their routes.
- Aviation experts warn of significant financial losses for airlines and potential fatal consequences from errors.
- European authorities are seeking advice from Israeli security experts on handling the bomb threats.
- Potential perpetrators include state actors like Iran or Russia, terrorist groups, or attention-seeking individuals.
- Fighter jets escorting threatened flights can only observe and cannot help locate planted devices.
A wave of bomb threats targeting flights across Europe has entered its sixth consecutive day, increasing passenger anxiety. Transportation correspondent Dean Fisher noted on 103FM that while these incidents have so far only resulted in disruptions, 25 planes have been forced to divert their routes and land at unplanned locations on a single day.
Fisher highlighted the significant economic impact, estimating losses for airlines to be between tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars per incident, which will ultimately be passed on to consumers. From a security perspective, he warned that while these may seem like false alarms, any minor error could have fatal consequences for hundreds of people.
He also pointed out that European authorities are increasingly seeking advice from Israeli security experts in aviation due to Israel's extensive experience in handling security events. Fisher cited an instance where Israeli authorities quickly contained information about an individual who made a false bomb threat on a Delta flight.
Former deputy head of the National Security Council, Eitan Ben David, stated that anonymous threats are not a new phenomenon in aviation security. He explained that security personnel are trained to anticipate such calls and to classify them based on the information provided. Ben David elaborated that with proper security protocols, it's possible to determine with high probability whether a flight can continue its journey or if there's a genuine ground threat.
Ben David suggested that state actors like Iran, Russia, North Korea, or even China could be behind these disruptions, aiming to destabilize European systems. Terrorist organizations seeking to sow chaos and fear, or even individuals seeking attention, are also possibilities. He stressed that even if a pilot lands a plane due to a bomb threat, finding the device without proper ground-based inspection protocols would be extremely difficult.
Regarding fighter jet escorts, Ben David clarified that they are primarily for observation, to ensure the plane is not hijacked and the pilot is in control, and cannot assist in locating a planted device. He concluded that while anonymous threats are common, it is rare for Israeli aviation and airlines to experience such landings, indicating a significant issue when it occurs.