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Gatwick plane alert 'was a hoax' Gatwick plane alert 'was a hoax'
(about 2 hours later)
Police investigating claims a suspicious device was on board an Emirates plane at Gatwick Airport have said the alert was a hoax.Police investigating claims a suspicious device was on board an Emirates plane at Gatwick Airport have said the alert was a hoax.
The aircraft arrived at the West Sussex airport from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates early on Sunday morning.The aircraft arrived at the West Sussex airport from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates early on Sunday morning.
Sussex Police said passengers and crew were evacuated and the plane moved so the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit could carry out "extensive searches". Sussex Police said 184 passengers and crew were evacuated and the plane moved so the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit could carry out "extensive searches".
A man in his 20s has been arrested in connection with the incident.
Police were called just before 0650 GMT when a passenger found a note implying was a suspicious device on board the flight.
'Calm response'
The airport was temporarily closed but reopened while searches went on.The airport was temporarily closed but reopened while searches went on.
Police, who were called just before 0650 GMT, said they understood some flights had been slightly delayed but there would be no major disruptions. Some flights were slightly delayed but there were no major disruptions.
Ch Insp Ed Henriet said: "This was potentially an extremely serious situation and we immediately mounted an emergency response.
"We are very grateful for the calm and understanding response from those directly affected, including the passengers who were on board and those waiting to meet them."
Sussex Police co-ordinated the response from Gatwick police station in co-operation with staff from BAA Gatwick, Surrey Police, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and the South East Coast Ambulance Service.