Bombscare forces Chinese plane to divert its course

An emergency landing was ordered for a Chinese plane heading to Australia because of a note found warning that there is a bomb on board.

Photo: Bombscare forces Chinese plane to divert its course

Bombscare forces Chinese plane to divert its course

Authorities say the plane made an emergency landing in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou but after intense searching no trace of a bomb was found. The plane was later allowed to resume its overnight flight to Sydney, AP reports.

Some 20 minutes after the China Southern Airlines flight departed Wednesday evening from Guangzhou , a note was found in a lavatory warning that a bomb would explode, airline spokesman Jeff Ruffolo said. The pilot turned the plane around and authorities in Guangzhou searched the Airbus A330 for two hours, but found nothing.

"The pilot took the correct procedure in landing in Guangzhou as it was only 20 minutes into the flight," Ruffolo said.

Jason Harper, an Australian passenger on board, said the pilots dumped fuel from the plane before making their emergency landing, and that there were emergency vehicles waiting at the runway when the plane touched down.

"They dumped all the fuel. Then all the lights went out. But no one knew what was happening," Harper told Australia 's Nine television network after touching down in Guangzhou . "Then we landed and there were about 20 police cars and fire engines and stuff everywhere."

The passengers disembarked from the plane and were interviewed by authorities for two hours before being allowed to board the flight and resume the journey, the network reported.

The resumed flight landed Tuesday afternoon in Sydney , where disembarking Australian passengers were welcomed by worried family and friends.