Oil rig security threat ‘a hoax’
A major operation to airlift more than 500 workers from a North Sea oil rig has been wound down.
The rescue was sparked by a bomb threat made by a woman on the Safe Scandinavia rig, sources said.
Fears that a device was on board the accommodation block prompted a massive operation involving police, coastguard and RAF teams.
It was not considered terrorism-related and is now believed to have been a hoax.
More than five hours after Grampian Police were first alerted to the incident, the force announced that a 23-year-old woman was being taken to the mainland.
It is understood workers are now returning to the installation.
In a statement, the force said: “Grampian Police can confirm it is investigating an alleged incident on a North Sea installation. As part of the police inquiry into this matter arrangements are being made for a 23-year-old British woman to be taken on shore. The incident is not considered terrorism related.”
It is understood the incident was sparked after a woman was heard making comments that were thought to pose a security risk.
Aberdeen Coastguard said 161 of the 539 workers were airlifted from the installation, which is attached by bridge to an oil rig in the Britannia field. The accommodation block, or “flotel,” had evacuated and the workers moved across the bridge on to the rig after the alarm was raised.
More than a dozen RAF, coastguard and civilian helicopters were involved at the height of the security alert at the rig, which lies around 130 miles north east of Aberdeen.
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