A Turkish Airlines flight was forced to make a diversion to Morocco after a bomb threat, the airline has confirmed.

The Boeing 777-300ER plane was flying from Istanbul to Sao Paulo when it was diverted to Casablanca airport, where it landed safely at 12.30pm GMT, according to Reuters.

It has been reported that a note was found with the word 'bomb' in the plane's lavatory but a spokesman for Turkish Airlines would not confirm its veracity.

In a statement to the Telegraph, the airline's spokesman said: "Turkish Airlines Istanbul – Sao Paulo flight (TK15, B777 Aircraft, carrying 256 passenger) today has diverted to Casablanca Mohammed V international airport (CMN) after bomb threat.

"The necessary investigation on board has now terminated and it has become clear that the notice in question was untrue.

"Our passengers will be retaken on board and the flight will continue to Sao Paolo after the termination of cleaning and refuelling processes and after the provision of necessary permissions."

On Sunday, another Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul heading to Tokyo had to turn back soon after take-off because of a note found on the lavatory door.

Turkish media reported the note had the words, 'C4 Cargo' - C-4 is a plastic explosive. Later, it was reported that no explosives had been found on the aircraft.