SriLankan flight makes an emergency landing after UK man raises false bomb alarm

A SriLankan Airlines aircraft has made an emergency landing this afternoon due to a bomb threat later found out to be false.

The SriLankan flight from Colombo to London was landed on the Male airport after a British national had raised alarm of a bomb being on the plane, airport security officials said.

Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) personnel evacuated all 199 passengers on board and searched the plane and passengers' baggage. The plane left on its journey to London after finding no bombs onboard.

Reports from Male said the 60-year old British man identified as Clement Paul has been handed over to the Maldives police. He is being questioned but not under arrest, the Maldivian authorities have said.