Spanish police said Monday they had arrested a man who falsely warned that a bomb had been placed on a Swiss International flight traveling from Zurich to Malaga in southern Spain.

The plane made an emergency landing in Geneva and the 142 passengers and six crew had to evacuate on emergency escape chutes.

The 42-year-old was arrested in Malaga on Saturday hours after he allegedly telephoned the warning.

The man, who was threatening to commit suicide at the time of his arrest, admitted telephoning the bomb alert, police said. He has been charged with public disorder.

2008 Copyright AFP