Security measures remain in place at Cyprus’s Larnaca International Airport after authorities arrested a passenger on a flight from Moldova following a terrorism-related tip-off.
The alert was triggered when someone called authorities in Moldova claiming a passenger aboard the flight to Larnaca was a terrorist, sources told Philenews.
The aircraft from Chisinau was directed to a special security area upon landing, with police and fire services mobilised as part of emergency protocols.
The suspect was removed from the aircraft and taken to Larnaca’s Criminal Investigation Department for questioning.
Passengers remained on board the aircraft while security protocols were being followed. Government sources told Philenews that while the incident required investigation, it was not a hijacking attempt.
The airport was closed for ten minutes during the incident, with one flight from Qatar being diverted to Paphos. The Department of Civil Aviation implemented necessary security protocols before resuming normal operations.
The alert was initially raised shortly before landing when Moldovan authorities informed their Cypriot counterparts about suspicious passenger activity.
(image sources: MATTPRESS/George Christoforou)
