Passenger detained after false bomb threat on LATAM flight Calama-Santiago
A passenger on LATAM flight LA1249 claimed to be carrying a bomb on board, triggering an operation by the DGAC and the GOPE. The threat was ruled out and the man was detained by the PDI.
False bomb alert on LATAM flight triggers operation at Santiago airport
A passenger on LATAM Airlines flight LA1249, on the Calama-Santiago route, claimed during the journey that he was carrying an explosive device on board, according to biobiochile.cl. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon and immediately activated emergency protocols at Arturo Merino Benítez Airport.
The aircraft involved is an Airbus A321. As it approached the capital, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) and the Special Police Operations Group (GOPE) of Carabineros deployed security measures at the country's main airport terminal to receive the flight and verify the situation.
The aircraft landed at Santiago airport at 18:55. Once the inspection procedure was completed, the DGAC reported via social media that "the emergency situation was ruled out and the passenger was detained by PDI".
All passengers were disembarked safely, according to confirmation from the airline itself through an official statement. LATAM described the episode as "a false threat related to the alleged presence of a suspicious device on board" and stated that it immediately activated the corresponding procedures together with the competent authorities, who ruled out the presence of any explosive.
The airline added that "the person who made the threat was detained by the authorities for the corresponding procedures".
In its statement, LATAM also expressed concern about the increase in such situations in the air transport industry, mentioning "the rise in incidents with disruptive passengers, including physical or verbal assaults on crew members and passengers, excessive alcohol consumption and drugs on board, false alarms and other conduct that compromises operational safety".
Source: Google News CL — Santiago