EasyJet pilot makes unplanned landing over 'suspicious conversation'

Three men have been arrested after an easyJet flight made an unplanned landing when the pilot learned of a "suspicious conversation" which included "terrorist content".

Passengers were evacuated down emergency chutes after the London-bound flight from Ljubljana, in Slovenia, was forced to divert to Cologne-Bonn airport, in Germany, at around 5.30pm on Saturday.

All 151 passengers were made to leave the plane and undergo a security check.

A spokesman for Cologne-Bonn airport said: "A plane on the way from Ljubljana to London has landed this evening around 6.30pm in Cologne unplanned."

In a statement, Cologne police said: "During the flight, other passengers had made the crew aware of the men.

"According to the witnesses, these had been the subject of terrorist content."Thereupon the flight captain had decided to carry out an evacuation in Cologne around 6pm (local time).

"The three suspects were arrested. Officials of the federal police ensured a backpack in the passenger area to be assigned to the men.

German media reported police destroyed some unclaimed baggage.

Flights were suspended at the airport for three hours.

An easyJet spokesperson told ITV News: “EasyJet can confirm that flight EZY3246 from Ljubljana to London Stansted diverted to Cologne today.

"The Captain took the decision as a precaution to enable the aircraft to go through additional security checks in Cologne where the aircraft was met by the police.

"In compliance with the local authorities guidance passengers disembarked to allow additional security checks to be performed."