Report of ‘possible explosive device’ forces airplane from Jackson to make emergency landing
Published 5:56 pm Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Two people have been detained after reports of a possible explosive device forced a flight from Jackson to make an emergency landing in Alexandria, Louisiana.
Officials from the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office told local news sources that they received a 911 call from just before 12:30 p.m. Wednesday about an incoming plane. Initial reports indicate that officials received information about a possible explosive device onboard an aircraft landing at the Alexandria International Airport (AEX).
At approximately 12:24pm, Sheriffs Dispatch received a call from the Rapides 911 Center of a reported inbound aircraft emergency. According to initial reports, information was received there was a possible explosive device onboard.
— Rapides Sheriff (@RapidesSheriff) December 30, 2020
United flight #4344 was headed to Houston from Jackson.
Bomb Squad officials and local FBI agents were on the scene to aid in the investigation.
Deputies and emergency responders were on the scene where the passengers were off-loaded and the scene secured.
Deputies, along with England Airpark Fire Department, responded to the scene where the passengers were off-loaded and the scene secured. Two persons of interest are being detained at t his time.
RPSO Bomb Squad along with local FBI are on scene assisting in the investigation.— Rapides Sheriff (@RapidesSheriff) December 30, 2020
Two persons of interest have since been detained.
UPDATE-all passengers are off the aircraft and safe. #EnglandAuthority is taking care of the passengers and #unitedAIRLINES are making arrangements to get the passengers to their destination.
— Rapides Sheriff (@RapidesSheriff) December 30, 2020
