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Egyptair flight diverted to Prestwick after threat

Five passengers from an Egyptair aircraft, which was diverted to Prestwick on Saturday, have claimed asylum in the UK.

The flight from Cairo to New York with 326 passengers on board was escorted to the Scottish airport by fighter jets, after a note with a threat to set the aircraft on fire was found in the toilet.

Police Scotland said five passengers, understood to be Syrian, claimed asylum and were being dealt with by the UK Border Agency.

They were taken off the aircraft to be questioned by police while it was searched.

But no arrests were made and when nothing was found on board, the aircraft was cleared to resume its journey early on Sunday morning, the BBC reported.

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