Typhoon escolta avión qatarí por sospechas de bomba

Manchester airport emergency: Military jet escorts passenger plane from Qatar after pilot told of 'possible device' on board

Police said they were dealing with the situation 'as an emergency'
Lizzie Dearden - The Independent
22
An incoming plane has been escorted into Manchester Airport by the RAF because of a "possible device" on board.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said the aircraft was escorted "as a result of information received by the pilot about a possible device on board".

On Twitter, the force said the Qatar Airways jet had landed at by 1.30pm and police and airport staff were "dealing with the situation as an emergency".

A passenger said on Twitter that armed police were outside the plane shortly afterwards but had not been told what was happening.

The aircraft is believed to be Qatar Airways Airbus A330, and that the RAF plane a Typhoon from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.

Chief Superintendent John O'Hare said: "Safety of those on board as well as those in and around airport our paramount concern."

He added: "We don't know how genuine this threat is but it is absolutely vital we deal with the situation as a full emergency.

"As a result, people will see the police and other agencies at the airport and on the airfield.

"At this time I would urge them not to be alarmed. Our response will be as comprehensive as it is proportionate with the safety of those on board and in and around the airport our paramount concern."

The flight is number QR023 from Doha and circled twice around the south of the Peak District before approaching the airport, the Manchester Evening News reported.

A passenger, Josh Hartley, tweeted pictures and a video of the RAF plane flying alongside the aircraft, writing: "Okay no [sic] I am worried."

Shortly before 1.30pm, he wrote: "Landed duno what the f*** is happening."

He appeared to only learn about the possible device on the plane from tweets sent by media outlets.

More to follow.