A flight operated by United Airlines traveling from Dallas to Chicago was forced to land at Lambert St. Louis International Airport in Missouri this morning due to a bomb threat. Upon landing, authorities swiftly apprehended a passenger, while the remaining passengers were evacuated from the aircraft by Airport director Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge.
The flight, originally destined for Chicago O’Hare International Airport, departed from Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport at 6:57 am local time and was diverted for an emergency landing at approximately 8:40 am.
According to sources from the St. Louis Post Dispatch, the detained individual claimed there was a bomb in his wife’s luggage, prompting ongoing searches by bomb and arson unit personnel within the aircraft as of 10:45 am.
In a separate incident, the search effort for a missing UK Navy crew member off the north-west coast of Ireland has been called off. The search, initiated after a distress call from a UK naval support vessel, spanned between Tory Island, Co Donegal, and Eagle Island, Co Mayo. The crew member, last seen on Friday at 10:30 pm, remains unaccounted for, with the family requesting privacy.
Defence Secretary John Healey expressed deep sadness over the crew member not being found, extending condolences to the family and fellow crew members. Acknowledging the collaborative search efforts, Healey praised the Irish authorities, RNLI, Royal Air Force, and Royal Navy for their swift response and dedicated search operations.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson confirmed the conclusion of the search for the missing crew member, stating that investigations are underway, with no harm reported to any other individuals.