11 June 2006
Dubai: A bomb hoax on a Dubai-bound Emirates flight from Chennai was reported by the Chennai Airport Authority at Anna International airport on Saturday.
A source from the airport authority in Chennai told Gulf News the city's police received an anonymous call that a bomb had been placed aboard the flight.
"We were immediately alerted by the city police in the early hours of Saturday. The aircraft was standing on the tarmac.
"It was empty as all the passengers had already disembarked.
"The bomb squad and an ambulance along with airport police and sniffer dogs were deployed. A thorough check was carried out on the aircraft. The area was cordoned off. Nothing was found it was a hoax," said the source.
A statement issued by Emirates in Dubai said that they were alerted by the Indian authorities of a possible security threat and that standard security procedures were implemented.
The flight departed normally with a delay of 26 minutes and arrived in Dubai at 7.10am on Saturday.
By Sunita Menon
Gulf News 2006. All rights reserved.
