Bomb Alerts Hit Flights Across Europe, Including in Rome
Listen to the story
A wave of bomb alerts affected flights across Europe this week, including two incidents in Rome. Bomb alerts are warnings that a bomb might be on a plane or in a building.
At Fiumicino airport in Rome, a false alarm caused two Ryanair planes to be escorted by military jets. An escort means the jets flew close to the planes to protect them and guide them safely.
Ryanair is one of Europe's largest airlines, carrying millions of passengers every year. The two affected planes landed safely after the military jets accompanied them.
Officials later confirmed that the bomb alert was false, meaning there was no real explosive device. Authorities across Europe worked to check other reported alerts as well.
After the checks, the alert level dropped in European skies, meaning the heightened danger warning was removed. Flights returned to their normal schedules.
Such security incidents can cause major disruption at airports, including delays and extra checks for passengers. Authorities usually treat every bomb alert seriously until it is proven false.
The exact source of the wave of alerts has not been detailed in the available reports. Investigations into the false alarms are expected to continue.
Vocabulary6 words
- bomb alerts
- warnings that a bomb might be somewhere
- airport
- a place where planes take off and land
- escorted
- accompanied to give protection
- airlines
- companies that operate passenger flights
- alert level
- how serious a danger warning is
- disruption
- when normal activity is stopped or delayed
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Quiz
Answer key
1. A false bomb alarm caused two Ryanair planes to be escorted 2. Officials checked and found no real danger 3. True
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A wave of _____ affected flights across Europe this week, including two incidents in Rome. Bomb alerts are warnings that a bomb might be on a plane or in a building.
At Fiumicino _____ in Rome, a false alarm caused two Ryanair planes to be _____ by military jets. An escort means the jets flew close to the planes to protect them and guide them safely.
Ryanair is one of Europe's largest _____, carrying millions of passengers every year. The two affected planes landed safely after the military jets accompanied them.
Officials later confirmed that the bomb alert was _____, meaning there was no real explosive device. Authorities across Europe worked to check other reported alerts as well.
After the checks, the _____ dropped in European skies, meaning the heightened danger warning was removed. Flights returned to their normal schedules.
Such security incidents can cause major _____ at airports, including delays and extra checks for passengers. Authorities usually treat every bomb alert seriously until it is proven false.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think authorities take bomb alerts seriously even when they often turn out to be false?
- How might a bomb alert affect passengers waiting at an airport?
- Do you think military escorts for planes are a good way to handle these situations? Why or why not?
- What could be some reasons behind a sudden wave of bomb alerts across several countries?
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