One person was arrested in connection with a false bomb threat on a plane at Brussels Airport on Wednesday, according to the Antwerp Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The bomb threat at the Zaventem airport was confirmed by the airport and the federal police on Wednesday morning following a report by VRT NWS.
A runway was closed for a short period of time and three flights were diverted due to the threat. The aircraft was evacuated and taken to a remote location at Brussels Airport, where it was searched. Federal police later confirmed that no explosive devices were found.
Shortly after midday, a woman was arrested in Merksplas, in Antwerp, on suspicion of being behind the false alarm, according to the Antwerp Public Prosecutor’s Office. Several local media reports suggest that the woman is believed to be mentally ill.
The affected aircraft was set to fly to Berlin, with the flight number SN2581, on behalf of Brussels Airlines. The plane is an Air Baltic Airbus A220, which is flying for Brussels Airlines until the end of October.
Brussels Airport was informed about the possible threat on Wednesday morning by the federal police.
A spokesperson for the airport confirmed that the passengers and crew members were taken to safety and that the “disruption is now over.”
“Brussels Airlines has called in a Special Assistance Team to take care of all passengers and crew members,” said a spokesperson for the airline.
