Plane Evacuated at NYC's LaGuardia Airport Due to 'Security Incident' - Reports
21:53 GMT 09.10.2021 (Updated: 13:25 GMT 06.08.2022)
© AP Photo / Craig Ruttle
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All passengers are reportedly safe and sound following an emergency landing, while a suspect has been detained by the respective authorities.
A plane has been evacuated on the runway at New York City’s LaGuardia airport, US media reported on Saturday.
A "suspicious" package reportedly prompted the emergency landing of an Embraer Air E75 regional jet operated by Republic Airways.
"An Embraer Air E75 regional jet operating as Republic Airlines Flight 4817 and traveling from Indianapolis to New York City landed safely at LaGuardia Airport at approximately 3:03 p.m. local time after a security incident. All passengers are safely off the plane," the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told Fox News.
American Airlines, which is partners with Republic Airways, has confirmed the incident took place.
Just in:@AmericanAir confirms “potential security issue” aboard AA4817 as it lands at LGA.
— errol barnett • cbs (@errolbarnett) October 9, 2021
No reports of injuries to 76 passengers and 4 crew. @CBSNews pic.twitter.com/1PiogYAnFf
One suspect behind the mysterious package was taken into custody, confirmed in a statement released by a local CBS affiliate.
“A Republic Airways aircraft, operating as American 4817, declared an emergency and landed at New York’s LaGuardia Airport without incident in response to passenger behavior near the end of the flight,” the statement reportedly read.
Footage allegedly showing his arrest at the airport has emerged online.
So the end of our flight got interesting pic.twitter.com/gdJSUUG906
— Laura (@lbrgdl) October 9, 2021
The LaGuardia Airport later issued a statement on Twitter regarding the incident that, it said, involved a "disruptive passenger".
People on board reportedly told media that there were suspicions about a possible bomb threat or some other dangerous behavior from one of the passengers.
No more details concerning the actual contents of the package or the suspect's possible motives are known so far. The investigation is ongoing.
