Bomb suspicion diverts Turkish plane en route to Afghanistan

ISTANBUL – Doğan News Agency

Police searched the cabin and cargo units. The luggage was searched individually, but no explosive was found. AFP photo

A Turkish Airlines plane en route to Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, returned to Turkey after an abandoned mobile phone found onboard caused panic.

An Airbus 320 with flight number TK-706 left Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport with 135 passengers at 3:05 this morning, but a mobile phone alarmed the cabin crew when no one claimed ownership.

The captain decided to land after informing police, who took strong precautionary measures in the apron.
The plane landed at Atatürk Airport nearly 2.5 hours after taking off.

Police searched the cabin and cargo units. All of the cabin and check baggage was searched individually.