Ottawa (ANTARA News/AFP) - Authorities on Wednesday inspected a Korean Air jetliner at a military base in westernmost Canada after an anonymous caller said a bomb had been planted on the plane.

Korean Air flight 72 from Vancouver bound for Seoul was diverted to the Comox airbase on Vancouver Island overnight, and escorted by two US fighter planes.

The South Korean flag carrier said all 146 passengers and crew were screened and put up at two hotels on Vancouver Island for the night while baggage and luggage were checked.

"Upon the completion of baggage/cargo check, an inspection of the aircraft will be conducted," said a statement. Thereafter, a new departure time would be determined.

The call was made to the carrier`s US office 25 minutes after takeoff, the airline said, adding the Boeing 777 plane had 134 passengers and 12 crew members on board.

The aircraft landed at the airbase around 110 kilometers (70 miles) northwest of Vancouver without incident.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) had scrambled two US F-15 fighters out of Portland, Oregon to intercept and shadow the plane until it landed. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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