False Bomb Threat Puts Swedish Airport on High Alert

A false terror alert raised by Canadian authorities caused massive security actions at the Arlanda International Airport outside the Swedish capital, Saturday. A Pakistan International Airlines plane coming from Toronto en route to Karachi made an emergency landing at Arlanda because officials suspected a man on the plane was carrying a bomb.

When the Boeing 777, landed at about 7.30 a.m. local time, Swedish local and national police stood ready to embark on a major crackdown operation.

The aircraft was evacuated and its 273 passengers were transferred to an airport terminal for questioning. Police apprehended a man about 25, without any dramatic incident but released him after about 10 hours. A search of the plane did not uncover any weapons or bomb materials. A Swedish prosecutor ordered police to help him continue his journey.

The aircraft continued its journey late Saturday afternoon, according information from the Arlanda airport.