Australian teenager arrested for boarding plane with shotgun

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - Australian police arrested a 17-year-old boy after he boarded a plane with a loaded shotgun, local ABC news reported on Thursday.

The teenager allegedly entered Avalon Airport, the second-largest airport in the state of Victoria, through a hole in a security fence and attempted to board a commercial flight.

A passenger on the plane tackled the teenager to the ground, threw the gun out of reach, and, along with several other passengers and the pilot, restrained him until police arrived.

The teenager has been charged with several offenses, including unlawfully taking control of an aircraft, endangering the safety of an aircraft, making a bomb hoax, and possessing a firearm.

The minor has been remanded in custody and is due to appear before a children's court.

Superintendent Michael Reid told reporters that passengers noticed the teen carrying a gun as he climbed the steps to the plane.

"The male was overpowered by three of the passengers," he said.

"No doubt this would have been a very terrifying incident for the passengers," he added, praising the "bravery" of those who had subdued the suspect.

One of the passengers said that the teen appeared to be dressed like an airport worker.

No one was injured in the incident, police said.

Avalon Airport CEO Ari Suss said the airport had reopened.