Airport evacuated after bomb scare in van 'with Belgian number plate'

A BOMB scare caused by a van parked outside Bulgaria's largest airport has force the terminal to be evacuated.

Police have carried out a controlled explosion outside the airport

Concerns were sparked after a police dog's attention was drawn to the vehicle and it is believed a police operation is still underway with a controlled explosion having been carried out within the past hour.

A robot checks the van for explosives outside Sofia Airport in Bulgaria

Sofia airport's director Hristo Shterianov has withdrawn the previous statement released to reporters confirming a bomb had been found saying: "No explosive device has so far been found, the check is still underway."

The van is believed to have Belgian plates and police say they know who it belongs to

Authorities evacuated Sofia Airport, in the country's capital, today after an alert was raised about a suspicious vehicle.  Sofia airport's director Hristo Shterianov has withdrawn the previous statement released to reporters confirming a bomb had been found saying: "No explosive device has so far been found, the check is still underway."


Authorities evacuated Sofia Airport, in the country's capital, today after an alert was raised about a suspicious vehicle. Head of the local border police Antonio Angelov said: "We know who the bus is registered to, who the people are, what nationality.

"But for now we will not announce anything because the investigation is ongoing. "We have done everything necessary. The threat is serious - as the dog reacts we are obliged to take measures."

Police said the van was parked at 1am and the owner, who is described as "non-Bulgarian" left the airport at 5am. Footage from Bulgarian news channel Kanal 3 showed a bomb disposal robot handling luggage from a white van. Local reports suggest the van had Belgian plates.

The airport's chief executive Hristo Shterianov says Terminal 1 will remain closed until midnight and all flights would now be operating out of Terminal 2 following the terror alert.
More to follow.