Rochester, N.Y.) – A plane that took off from the Rochester International Airport was ordered to return shortly after take-off, because a bag belonging to a suspicious couple was on board.
An airport official said a couple trying to board Air Canada Flight 7405 to Toronto had false passports and paid for their tickets in cash. One bag belonging to the couple was on the plane when it took off at about 11 a.m. Once it was determined the bag was on board, the plane returned to Rochester.
The small commuter plane has been surrounded by fire trucks and security personnel for much of the morning. The eleven people on board were escorted off the plane.
The couple is from Sri Lanka and they were suspected of having false Canadian passports, according to a Department of Homeland Security official. While in custody, the woman complained of having chest pains and wanted something out of her bag. The man also made a remark about a suicide bomb.
“There was a significant language barrier with the passengers, and the male is believed to have made a confusing remark about a possible bomb,” said Jarren Agen of the Department of Homeland Security. "So out of an abundance of caution the plane was rerouted and returned to Rochester airport.”
The couple is in custody. Charges could be filed, pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Department of Homeland Security is handling the investigation. U.S. Customs and Border Security, the FBI, and Monroe County Sheriff's Department are also involved in the investigation.
Other flights were not affected.
An airport official said a couple trying to board Air Canada Flight 7405 to Toronto had false passports and paid for their tickets in cash. One bag belonging to the couple was on the plane when it took off at about 11 a.m. Once it was determined the bag was on board, the plane returned to Rochester.
The small commuter plane has been surrounded by fire trucks and security personnel for much of the morning. The eleven people on board were escorted off the plane.
The couple is from Sri Lanka and they were suspected of having false Canadian passports, according to a Department of Homeland Security official. While in custody, the woman complained of having chest pains and wanted something out of her bag. The man also made a remark about a suicide bomb.
“There was a significant language barrier with the passengers, and the male is believed to have made a confusing remark about a possible bomb,” said Jarren Agen of the Department of Homeland Security. "So out of an abundance of caution the plane was rerouted and returned to Rochester airport.”
The couple is in custody. Charges could be filed, pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Department of Homeland Security is handling the investigation. U.S. Customs and Border Security, the FBI, and Monroe County Sheriff's Department are also involved in the investigation.
Other flights were not affected.
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