CHICAGO- A United Airlines (UA) flight bound for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) experienced a diversion to Chicago (ORD) following a bomb threat on Wednesday morning (Feb 21, 2024). Passengers were swiftly evacuated from the Boeing 787-10 aircraft, identified as United Flight 1533, carrying 202 passengers.
The flight departed from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) at 6:05 a.m. and landed at O’Hare Airport at 7:44 a.m. local time.
United Flight Bomb Threat
Upon landing, law enforcement confirmed the evacuation of passengers, with the plane undergoing a thorough search at a remote location within O’Hare Airport.
A preliminary police report indicated the discovery of a note in the aircraft’s bathroom, threatening the detonation of the plane. CBS 2 revealed that a bomb-sniffing K-9 detected a suspicious bag, prompting the deployment of a robot to relocate it.
Authorities are currently questioning the passenger associated with the checked bag.
An insider from the airline mentioned that the canine successfully identified a connection between the scent mentioned in the threatening note and the contents of the suspicious bag.
Passenger Remarks
A passenger aboard the flight informed CBS 2 that they were escorted back to the airport terminal by bus accompanied by police, where ongoing bag checks were taking place.
“We’re being taken back to a terminal, and I assume they will inspect our bags, maybe question us,” the passenger expressed. “We were compelled to leave all our belongings on the plane, and we have no clarity on what happens next.”
Another traveler recounted the evacuation experience, highlighting that all personal belongings were left behind on the aircraft.
“About two hours into the flight, they announced an emergency landing in Chicago without specifying the reason,” the passenger shared. “We were unable to leave our seats, and upon landing, we were informed that someone had written a bomb threat on a bathroom mirror.”
The passenger mentioned that the rescheduled flight was set for noon Chicago time. This incident follows a separate occurrence on Tuesday, where passengers on an American Airlines plane intervened when a man attempted to open a door during a flight from Albuquerque to Chicago.
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