The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

A flight of the China Eastern Airlines had to make a delayed departure from here for Kunming as the aircraft's indicator gave explosive signal twice before the takeoff.

Officials at Zia International Airport said the pilot of the flight no-MU 2036 got the first signal just before the scheduled takeoff at about 2-43pm and informed the control tower.

"Soon all the passengers were offloaded for security check," said one source.

The airport security personnel rushed in and conducted extensive search inside the aircraft and luggage but didn't find any bomb or explosive. The passengers were boarded again.

But the pilot again received explosive signal from the aircraft indicator. And once again the passengers were offloaded and taken to a safer place.

In the midst of the bomb scare, the airport authority called in explosive experts to check the aircraft but could not trace any explosive materials.

As both the pilot and experts were convinced that the indicator gave the wrong signals, the aircraft left the airport at about 4-15 pm, over an hour behind the schedule.

Director of the ZIA Wing Commander Saidul Islam confirmed the incident of bomb hoax. "The aircraft indicator gave the wrong signal," he said.