An Easyjet flight from Ljubljana, Slovenia, to London Stansted was diverted to Cologne-Bonn airport in Germany on Saturday after the pilot was alerted to a 'suspicious conversation' with 'terrorist content'. Three British men were arrested and are being questioned by German police.
The Airbus 319 was carrying 151 passengers. The pilot decided to make an unscheduled landing as a precaution. After landing, passengers evacuated via emergency slides, and nine people received medical treatment. Flights at Cologne-Bonn were suspended for three hours.
Cologne police said other passengers made the crew aware of a conversation involving the three men, which contained 'terrorist content'. A backpack belonging to the men was 'blown up in a controlled manner', but no explosives were found in luggage or on the plane.
Passengers described armed police entering the aircraft and escorting two men off; the third was led away on the tarmac. All passengers were quarantined for about nine hours while police conducted interviews. They were later given hotel accommodation for the night.
The men, aged 31, 38, and 48, are believed to work for a London firm and were returning from a business trip. It is unclear if charges will be brought. Easyjet stated that the safety of passengers and crew is its highest priority.
