Several European airports evacuated after bomb threats, including Ostend

Several airports in Europe were evacuated on Wednesday following a threatening email, including Ostend Airport. Airports in France were the main target of the threat.

There were no passengers at Ostend, but around 50 airport staff had to leave the building. Security forces searched the entire airport as a precaution. Flights were diverted to Brussels airport. About two hours later, the situation was declared safe.

The impact on air traffic remains relatively limited. "Flights diverted to Brussels can continue from Ostend," said airport spokesman Tom Rutsaert.

According to the city of Ostend, the airport was evacuated after a threatening letter was sent to several European airports. In France, six airports have received threats. The airports of Lille, Nice, Nantes, Toulouse, Bron (near Lyon) and Beauvais (near Paris) have been or are being evacuated and searched.

High alert

The conflict in Gaza and Monday's attack in Brussels have put cities across Europe on high alert. In Ghent, two squares were evacuated on Wednesday morning after a suspicious package was found. The package turned out to be a suitcase that may have been left behind by mistake.

There were also reports of the evacuation of a Jewish school in central Rome on Wednesday morning. News of the evacuation was quickly picked up by the Italian media, which reported a bomb threat. However, the Jewish community and police were quick to allay fears, saying the evacuation was just a drill.

^{#FlandersNewsService | The departure hall at Airport Ostend-Bruges. © BELGA PHOTO ROBBE VANDEGEHUCHTE}