( dpa ) - Some 500 people were being airlifted from a North Sea oil platform on Sunday after a security alert, but there was no terrorist threat, a police spokesman said.
The alarm was raised at 0915 GMT on an accommodation block, the Safe Scandinavia, which is attached by bridge to an oil rig in the Britannia field, 200 kilometres north-east of the Scottish city of Aberdeen.
The incident was sparked by comments made by a woman on the installation and by hints at a suspicious "device," British broadcaster BBC reported.
"The relevant emergency authorities have been alerted and a company response team is assisting in the coordination of support services," oil company Britannia Operator Limited said in a statement.
According to the Royal Air Force (RAF), some 13 helicopters and 14 aircraft are involved in the rescue operation.
"We are responding at the request of the coastguard and police to a report of a security incident ... This is not a fire, escape of gas, anything like that. It's just precautionary measures being put in place," a spokesman for RAF Kinloss said.