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Russian passenger jet lands after bomb threat, state media reports

By the CNN Wire Staff
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Anonymous caller phoned in the threat, state media says
  • Seventy-three passenger were aboard the jet

Moscow, Russia (CNN) -- A passenger jet flying from Moscow to Grozny made an unexpected landing Sunday more than halfway through the trip after an anonymous call warned that an explosive device was on board, a transportation official told state-run media.

The call was made sometime after the plane departed at 4:15 p.m. from Vnukovo International Airport near Moscow, Serge Izvolsky, spokesman for Russia's air transport agency, told Itar-Tass Sunday. The plane -- a Yakovlev Yak-42 carrying 73 passengers -- landed in Volgograd.

Authorities were inspecting the aircraft and interviewing passengers, Izvolsky said.

Officials at the airports in Volgograd and Vnukovo confirmed the landing to CNN, but declined to give details on the incident.