Israel-bound Cruise Ship Halted at Greek Port Following Bomb Scare

A bomb threat to an Israel-bound cruise ship prompted a security operation at the Greek island port of Syros on Tuesday after an unknown person claimed an explosive device had been attached to its hull, Greek authorities said.

The Panama-flagged Crown Iris was due to sail to Haifa carrying 940 passengers and 597 crew members when the threat was received.

Coast guard personnel assisted by an explosives detection dog and a private diver searched the vessel, while a special coast guard unit was deployed to the scene.

Initial checks found no explosive device. Coast guard specialists are expected to arrive at 21:30 (19:30 GMT) to carry out further inspections before the ship can resume its voyage.

The vessel, operated by Israeli cruise line Mano Maritime, serves as the company's sole passenger liner offering regular itineraries between Haifa and popular Eastern Mediterranean island ports across Greece and Cyprus.

At least seven flights in Europe received bomb threats on Tuesday, causing disruption at airports although no devices were discovered.

(Reporting by Renee Maltezou; Writing by Antonis Pothitos; Editing by Alexandra Hudson, Baird Maritime)