[ad_1]
Two men were detained by counter-terrorism police after a Ryanair flight to the UK was intercepted by RAF fighter jets due to a “security threat”.
A 34-year-old man from Kuwait and a 48-year-old man from Italy were detained by counterterrorism officers from the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit shortly after 7 p.m. Sunday.
The two men had arrived on a flight from Vienna and were detained under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act, police said.
The RAF confirmed that RAF Coningsby Typhoon fighters in Lincolnshire, England were launched “to intercept a civilian aircraft. The plane was escorted safely to Stansted. “
A Ryanair spokesman said the crew of the flight from Vienna to Essex airport had been alerted to a “possible threat to safety on board.”
He added: “In accordance with procedures, the captain informed the UK authorities and continued to London Stansted where the aircraft landed normally and taxied to a remote post where the passengers disembarked safely.
“Passengers at London Stansted waiting to depart for Vienna were transferred to a spare aircraft to minimize the delay in their flight.”
Police said investigations are ongoing.
[ad_2]