Newsletters
A passenger playing the video game Call of Duty triggered a bomb scare at California's Ontario International Airport after another traveler overheard references to bombs and explosions, prompting authorities to evacuate a Frontier Airlines aircraft and part of the terminal.
The incident took place shortly before 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8, as the aircraft was preparing for departure, according to the Ontario Police Department.
A passenger alerted the cabin crew after hearing another traveler mention bombs and explosions during a phone conversation, leading airport security personnel to respond to a possible threat.
Following the report, authorities evacuated passengers from the Frontier Airlines aircraft and cleared the eastern section of Terminal 2 as a precaution.
Police also detained the passenger whose conversation had raised concerns, but questioning revealed that the situation had stemmed from a misunderstanding involving the popular online combat video game Call of Duty.
The passenger explained that he had been playing the game while speaking to a friend through FaceTime, Apple's video-calling service, and that the references to bombs and explosions concerned events taking place in the game rather than any actual threat.
Security personnel subsequently searched the aircraft but found no bombs or explosive devices, while police determined that no criminal offense had occurred.
After the security checks were completed, all passengers, including the individual who had been detained, were allowed to board the aircraft again and continue their journey.
Authorities did not disclose the flight's intended destination.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
4 min read
