LOS ANGELES – Authorities have been searching a Qantas jetliner at Los Angeles International Airport because of a bomb threat.

Airport spokeswoman Nancy Castles says a threat grounded Flight 12, which was supposed to depart for Sydney, Australia, at 10 a.m. Friday.

The FBI says the threat came in a telephone call to law enforcement officials.

Castles says the 347 passengers and 20 crew members were boarding at the time and had to deplane for rescreening along with their luggage.

The Boeing 747-400 was taken to the west end of the airport. Castles says the passengers were put up in hotels but there are plans to put them on an 11 p.m. flight.