Japan flight makes emergency landing after apparent bomb threat
A Jetstar plane made an emergency landing at Japan's Chubu airport following a bomb threat on January 7.
By Emiko Jozuka, CNN
An airplane flown by budget carrier Jetstar made an emergency landing in central Japan on Saturday after authorities received an apparent bomb threat from an international caller, public broadcaster NHK reported, citing police sources.
Tokyo’s Narita airport received the call at 6:20 a.m. Japan time from a man in Germany saying in English that he had put a bomb on the aircraft, NHK reported, citing police sources.
The domestic flight from Narita to the southwestern city of Fukuoka was diverted to Chubu airport, a Chubu airport spokesperson told CNN. All 136 passengers and six crew members aboard evacuated the aircraft there, NHK reported.
At least five people were lightly injured while leaving the aircraft according to NHK, which broadcast footage of passengers evacuating the plane via emergency chutes.
Pictures shared on social media show an Airbus A320, operated by Jetstar, with chutes deployed and passengers evacuated around the aircraft.
Citing police sources, NHK said the caller claimed to have placed 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of plastic explosives in the aircraft’s cargo hold and demanded to speak with the “manager” or he would set off them off.
No explosives have been found on board the plane, NHK said.
The Chubu airport spokesperson said flights had resumed at the facility following a four-hour suspension and the incident is being investigated.
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This story has been updated with additional information.
