Evacuation at North Sea oil rig

A major operation to airlift more than 500 workers from a North Sea oil rig was being wound down this evening.

A major operation to airlift more than 500 workers from a North Sea oil rig was being wound down this evening.

The rescue was sparked by a bomb threat made by a woman on the Safe Scandinavia rig, sources said.

ears that a device was on board the accommodation block prompted a massive operation involving police, coastguard and RAF teams. It was not considered terrorism-related and is now believed to have been a hoax.

Fourteen helicopters, including five from the RAF, were involved in the operation at the rig 115 miles north east of Aberdeen.

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More than five hours after Grampian Police were first alerted to the incident, the force announced that a 23-year-old woman was being taken to the mainland.

It is understood workers are now returning to the installation.

In a statement, the force said: "As part of the police inquiry into this matter arrangements are being made for a 23-year-old British woman to be taken on shore."