Passenger jet hit by bullet, slightly damaged

Shot fired during traditional Orthodox Christmas Eve celebration

PODGORICA, Montenegro - A stray bullet struck a passenger jet while it was landing in Montenegro, slightly damaging the aircraft, the state airline said Wednesday.

No one was hurt as the bullet, apparently fired into the air during a traditional Orthodox Christmas Eve celebration, hit the tail stabilizer on the Montenegro Airlines Fokker 100, company spokesman Nenad Markovic said. Police were investigating who fired the shot.

The jet carrying 32 passengers and five crew members on a flight from Ljubljana, Slovenia, landed safely, Markovic said. The bullet hole was discovered during the post-flight inspection.

Montenegrins — who often marking festivities by firing guns into the air — celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7, as do Orthodox Christians in Russia, Serbia, Romania and elsewhere.

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