On Saturday afternoon, just after 1:00, a Continental airplane bound for
Newark New Jersey was taxi-ing on the runway when it had to be stopped because
of a bomb scare. According to reports, a Continental airline clerk at the airport
received a call that a bomb was on a Continental plane. Airport security was
informed, and the traffic control tower immediately ordered the plane to remain
in the taxi-ing area. All 117 passengers and crew had to de-planed, and a full
security check lasting four hours had to be conducted. Nothing was found, but
the flight was delayed almost 5 hours.
Senior Superintendent Chester Williams and Superintendent Edward Broaster
happened to be at the airport on other duties, and they participated in the
bomb-search operation. Today Williams told the media it was a reckless prank
and Director of Tourism Tracy Taeger commented on whether it will affect the
tourism sector.
Sr. Supt. Chester Williamns,
"The BDF were called in, the bomb expert. We also brought in the police
bomb dog and myself along with Supt. Broaster coordinated the operation. We
stayed out there until the plane was physically checked by the BDF bomb expert.
All the luggage were taken out, the dog went through them, the BDF bomb expert
went through them likewise to ensure indeed there was no bomb onboard the plane
or inside any of the luggage. It took us about three hours before the plane
was declared safe by the BDF and thereafter passengers onboard the airline boarded
and they continued on their journey.
Basically we believe it is a reckless prank because with all the checks
made by the BDF and the bomb dog nothing was found and eventually the plane
went and it landed safely at its destination."
Jules Vasquez,
Will the TSA or the Homeland Security, will they be satisfied that we have the
proper protocols in place, responded accurately and in the right way?
Tracy Panton, Director of Tourism
"We haven't been advised differently. I believe to the best of my information
that everyone was satisfied that it was handled the way it is expected to be
handled and so unless something should transpire over the next couple of days,
I believe we are in the clear, so to speak, on that incident. You know Jules,
the threat of security is one of the greatest deterrents to travel in most recent
times. It was a vicious and unnecessary prank. I believe that the ramifications
for Belize will be told over a period of time. We are aware of any international
coverage on this matter but it can potentially hurt us."
Jules Vasquez,
Do we stand to suffer from this in the number of air arrivals to Belize?
Tracy Panton,
"There is no indication of that yet and I guess that, if so, will become
apparent over a period of time. I don't believe so. Quite frankly I think we
would have had a fallout by now if that was the case. Certainly there was a
loss of confidence by those who were on that flight and hopefully we will be
able to negate that."
And while there have been many bomb scares in Belize, this is the first
time one has been received for an outgoing jet.
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