Two Air France passenger jets heading to Paris were diverted Tuesday night after threats were made against the flights, but officials later said no explosives were found.
Air France Flight 65 from Los Angeles to Paris was diverted because of a "security issue," Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Allen Kenitzer said. The flight landed safely in Salt Lake City without incident, he said, and passengers were being taken off the plane.
A second Air France jet, Flight 55 from Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C., to Paris, was diverted to Halifax, Nova Scotia, after a threat was also made against the flight.
According to Air France, the threats were both made anonymously by phone after takeoff and the planes were diverted as a precautionary measure. Both planes landed safely, the airline said.
Local authorities were inspecting the aircraft, passengers, and luggage.
Per FAA, #AF65—LA to Paris—diverted to Salt Lake City due to a "security incident". https://t.co/codxvNqXPP
#AF55, Washington-Paris, has also diverted and is on the ground in Halifax. https://t.co/MT4bJ7jdga
Officials later said no explosives were found on either flight. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, passengers on Flight 65 were cleared to re-enter the plane about 10:15 p.m.
Flight 55, which was carrying 262 people, was emptied after about 75 minutes Tuesday night, according to CBC. Passengers were taken to a secure location, where they were interviewed.
Searches of plane and luggage concluded. No explosive device found. Plane has been turned over to @HfxStanfield #AF055
Law enforcement used dogs to search the plane, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police announced on Twitter that it was trying to determine who made the initial threat.