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Wi‑Fi ‘Bomb Threat’ Triggers Fighter Escort as Turkish Airlines Jet Diverts to Barcelona

Officials say a passenger’s Wi‑Fi hotspot name triggered the alert; searches found no explosives.

Overview

  • Flight TK1853 from Istanbul to Barcelona, an Airbus A321 (TC-JRR) with 148 passengers and seven crew, landed at El Prat around 11:00 local time and was taken to a remote stand for evacuation.
  • French aircraft intercepted the jet over the Mediterranean before handing off to Spanish Eurofighters under NATO Quick Reaction Alert procedures as the airliner held off the Catalan coast.
  • Spanish Civil Guard, TEDAX bomb-disposal units and canine teams inspected the plane and luggage, and authorities reported no explosive materials or hazardous items were found.
  • AENA said Barcelona-El Prat operated normally throughout the response, with the flight’s arrival on Runway 02 and airport crisis protocols activated as a precaution.
  • The passenger who created the hotspot was identified and detained for questioning, and Turkish Airlines said the return flight to Istanbul would operate after security procedures.