BERLIN, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- A false hijacking alert has sparked a major security operation at Nuremberg Airport on Tuesday, with fighter jets deployed to escort a passenger plane flying from Greece to Germany before the authorities ruled out any threat, reported German news agency dpa.
The Corendon Airlines flight from the Greek island of Corfu to Nuremberg transmitted the emergency code "7500" which signals a possible hijacking, while flying over southeastern Europe, dpa cited police as saying.
German Eurofighter jets were sent to escort the Boeing 737-800 to its destination where the airport was temporarily closed, and police, including special forces, and emergency services were deployed, according to local police. The aircraft landed safely around midday.
Police later gave the all-clear, confirming that all passengers and crew members were safe, and no hijacking had taken place.
Investigators suspect a faulty radio system was behind the alarm, as air traffic controllers were unable to contact the pilots after the emergency code was transmitted. The exact cause remains under investigation.
Earlier on Tuesday, flight operations at Nuremberg Airport were also disrupted by a suspected drone sighting, forcing two incoming aircraft to divert. Police said there was no apparent connection between the two incidents. ■