NEWS

Saudi aircraft forced to land in Athens

An aircraft that had been en route to Saudi Arabia from the US was forced to land at Athens International Airport on Thursday after a fire broke out on board.

The Hellenic Air Force dispatched two Mirage bombers to escort the Saudi Arabian Airlines aircraft to the capital?s airport.

According to the pilot and co-pilot, the fire broke out in the plane?s baggage storage area while the aircraft was in Greek air space.

No harm came to any of the 240 passengers and crew aboard the Saudi Arabian Airlines flight, according to sources who said that the cause of the fire was being investigated.

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