ALERT: Australia- Airport Security Tightens Due to Terrorist Plot (July 30, 2017)
July 30, 2017
Authorities in Australia arrested multiple individuals allegedly plotting to bomb a commercial airplane. Security has been tightened at all airports across Australia.
According to Reuters:
Police foiled “Islamic-inspired” plans for a bomb attack on an aircraft during counter-terrorism raids in which four men were arrested, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said on Sunday.
The increased security presence caused minor delays for some air transport operators on Sunday and authorities warned travelers to prepare for potentially more significant disruptions as traffic picked up during the week.
An AFP spokesman told Reuters the four men, who were arrested on Saturday, had not been charged as of Sunday afternoon.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said advice from Australian security and intelligence agencies had led to increased security measures at Sydney airport on Thursday with tighter security implemented at the country’s other domestic and international airports on Saturday.
AFP commissioner Andrew Colvin said travelers could expect an increased police and security agency presence at airports.
“You can expect longer delays to make sure that more screening is being done on baggage, both hold luggage as well as hand luggage,” adding that travelers should allow more time to get through security.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports:
In a significant departure from the low-tech lone actor attacks that Islamic State has inspired in Australia, the group of mostly middle-aged men were allegedly working on an “elaborate” plot to build an improvised explosive device that could take down a plane.
The operation has forced authorities to implement emergency security arrangements at all major Australian airports.
The measures, including extra screening and additional checks of cabin and checked baggage, are expected to lead to longer queues and check-in times at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Darwin, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Cairns, Gold Coast and Hobart airports.
“We have taken this threat very seriously,” Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin said on Sunday. “You should infer we think this was credible and there was an intention and quite possibly a capability as well.”
“The primary threat to Australia still remains lone actors but events overnight remind us there is still the ability to have sophisticated plots,” Justice Minister Michael Keenan said.
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