A United Airlines flight traveling from Chicago to New York City diverted to Pittsburgh International Airport after crew members reported a “possible security issue.”

Passengers were forced to evacuate the plane using emergency slides.

The aircraft had 159 passengers and six crew on board.

Watch footage from the evacuation:

CBS News shared further:

United said in a statement to CBS News that passengers “evacuated the aircraft via slides,” describing the diversion as due to a “potential security concern.”

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A spokesperson for the Allegheny County Airport Authority said in a statement that the county police bomb squad and K-9s screened the plane “with negative results,” and law enforcement cleared the scene. It was not immediately clear what officers were screening for or what the “reported threat” was.

“Safety and security is always the top priority at Pittsburgh International Airport,” the airport spokesperson said. “Our emergency crews responded quickly to the reported incident. Our teams activated to assist the crew in evacuating the aircraft and transported the passengers safely to the terminal.”

“FBI Pittsburgh is aware of a reported threat onboard a flight headed to New York. The plane was diverted and landed at Pittsburgh International Airport. All passengers and crew safely evacuated the aircraft,” FBI Pittsburgh stated.

More from The Guardian:

Bob Kerlik, director of public affairs for the Allegheny county airport authority, said in an email that law enforcement had cleared the scene.

Pittsburgh international airport was open and operational, he said. Passengers on the diverted flight were rebooked on another aircraft.

Officials did not comment on the nature of the threat and whether anyone had been taken into custody.

 

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