2 Air France flights to Paris diverted because of bomb threats

Two Paris-bound flights – including one that departed from Los Angeles – were diverted and grounded Tuesday evening because of bomb threats, prompting investigations by local and federal authorities.

The two Air France flights received anonymous bomb threats via telephone after takeoff, and the Paris-based airline decided “as a precautionary measure” to ground both flights and perform security checks, according to a statement provided by the airline.

Air France flight 65 – which departed from Los Angeles International Airport about 3:45 p.m. – landed safely in Salt Lake City and the 473 passengers were bused to a terminal, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

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According to a statement released late Tuesday night by the FBI’s field office in Salt Lake City, law enforcement performed “intensive security checks” and no explosives or related evidence was recovered.

“In order to ensure the safety of the passengers, crew, and public, law enforcement officers will be working throughout the evening to further determine the credibility and genesis of the threats,” the FBI’s statement added.

Flight 55 departed from Washington, D.C., about 6:40 p.m. and landed about 10:30 p.m. in Halifax, Nova Scotia, following another security threat. That aircraft had 234 passengers, according to the airline.

Local and federal law enforcement were inspecting the plane, passengers and luggage.

Both flights are scheduled to resume their course to Paris early Wednesday morning, according to itineraries published by the airline.

For breaking news in California, follow @MattHjourno.

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