A new wave of bomb threats has disrupted passenger flights across Europe, with more than 20 aircraft and several airports targeted in the second such incident this week.

Flights were forced into emergency landings or diversions after the threats were received, and authorities described the alerts as hoaxes. In one case a flight was escorted by the Italian Air Force until it landed, according to officials.

UK officials called the episode a malicious hoax, and the disruptions follow similar hoax alerts earlier in the week that prompted searches and diversions.

Source: Reuters / BBC