Security stepped up at Australian airports
Additional security measures have been put in place at Sydney and other major Australian airports after police foiled an attempt to bring down a plane.
Four men have been detained following raids across Sydney, on suspicion of plotting an ‘elaborate’ attack, which is believed to have involved the use of domestic mince-meater, filled with explosives and detonated on board.
They may also have been planning to release a toxic gas to ‘immobilise or kill passengers’, according to Sky News Australia.
Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnball said the plot appeared to be ‘elaborate’ rather than a lone wolf attempt.
On Sunday he said: "I can report last night that there has been a major joint counter-terrorism operation to disrupt a terrorist plot to bring down an airplane.
"The threat of terrorism is very real. The efforts overnight have been very effective but there’s more work to do."
Security has been increased at international and domestic airports around the country.
According to local media, 40 riot squad officers wearing gas masks stormed a Sydney house before an explosives team found a suspicious device.
The country’s national terrorism threat level is still at ‘probable’.
The Foreign Office has updated its advice to say: "Following the arrest of four men in Sydney in a counter-terrorism operation on 29 July, there are enhanced security measures in place at all major Australian domestic and international airports.
"Passengers should allow extra time for their journey and remain vigilant."
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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