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'Sochi Is Safe' After Toothpaste Tube Explosive Warning

Dale Chong |
February 6, 2014 | 10:33 a.m. PST

Executive Producer

(Wikimedia Commons)
(Wikimedia Commons)
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security warned that terrorists may try to smuggle explosives on planes to Russia using toothpaste tubes. 

The warning came hours before competition began at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. The threat was passed to airlines that have direct flights to Russia, including U.S. airlines from a law enforcement official. 

The official said that explosive devices could be assembled in flight or upon arrival at the Olympics, according to Fox News.

In response to the DHS warning, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak said that visitors to the Winter Olympics would be safe in Sochi.

READ MORE: Security Of Winter Olympics Questioned

"There is no reason to believe that the level of danger in Sochi is greater than at any other loint on the planet, be it Boston, London, New York, or Washington," according to Reuters

In reaction to the threat, Russia has put approximately 37,000 personnel on combat alert in Sochi and drones and warships are being deployed. 

Competition began 32 hours before the opening ceremony due to the addition of 12 new medal events for men and women. The first events were men's slopestyle, followed by women's slopestyle, women's moguls, and team figure skating.

Read more at Fox News and Reuters.

 

Reach Executive Reporter Dale Chong here.



 

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