|
|
|
Subject:
Heathrow on highest alert due to bomb plot
perfectgeneral
8/10/2006 7:27:14 AM
|
link
A plot to blow up planes in flight from the UK to the US and commit "mass murder on an unimaginable scale" has been disrupted, Scotland Yard has said.
It is thought the plan was to detonate explosive devices smuggled in hand luggage on to as many as 10 aircraft.
Police are searching premises with 21 people in custody after arrests in London, High Wycombe and Birmingham. ...
...Three US airlines are believed to have been targeted.
According to BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera new intelligence was received in the last five days which led to the decision for police to act as soon as possible.
The plot is thought to have involved a series of "waves" of simultaneous attacks, targeting three planes each time.
He also said the plan "revolved around liquids of some kind".
"Officials say the explosives would have been sophisticated and extremely effective,"
"We are confident that we have disrupted a plan by terrorists to cause untold death and destruction and to commit, quite frankly, mass murder," he said.
"We believe that the terrorists' aim was to smuggle explosives on to aeroplanes in hand luggage and to detonate these in flight. We also believe that the intended targets were flights from the United Kingdom to the United States of America.
"I can confirm that a significant number of people are currently in custody and the operation is ongoing."
All hand luggage is limited to clear plastic bags with essential items only (wallet, keys, passport, medicines - proof required, etc.)
Expect delays to and from UK airports, especially Heathrow. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Latest
News |
Most
Read |
Hot
Topics |
|
|
|
