Sri Lankan Airlines Plane Returns after Telephoned Bomb Threat

Oct. 3, 2005
London-bound plane landed safely, is being searched for possible explosives

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka -- A London-bound Sri Lankan Airlines plane returned to Colombo's international airport Monday after a caller said there was a bomb on board, police said.

The aircraft landed safely and a search was on for any explosives, airport police officer Asoka Wijetillaka said.

"Our security officials took the decision to bring the flight back because the caller said there was a threat to the plane," airline spokeswoman Ruvini Jayasinghe said.

The aircraft was airborne for about 48 minutes before it returned. "All the passengers are safe and in fact having lunch," she said.

(c) 2005 Associated Press