Guwahati: A 240-passenger chartered flight from the Russian capital of Moscow to Goa was diverted to Uzbekistan on January 21 as a result of a bomb threat, reports said.
According to reports, the plane was supposed to land at 4.15 am at the South Goa airport’s Dabolim.
The Azur Air flight AZV2463 was diverted before it entered Indian airspace after the Dabolim airport director received an email at 12:30 am alleging that a bomb was being installed on the plane.
Notably, this is the second such incident that occurred nearly two weeks.
On January 9, an aircraft headed from Moscow to Goa was detoured to Jamnagar in Gujarat after the air traffic controller (ATC) received a bomb threat.
”Moscow-Goa chartered flight diverted to Jamnagar, Gujarat after Goa ATC received a bomb threat,” media reports quoted officials as saying.
The reports further said that the aeroplane with 244 passengers on board safely touched down at Jamnagar (defence) airport at 9:49 PM. Aircraft and luggage are currently protected by isolation security.
The flight’s passengers were safely removed. However, the most recent information indicated that there were no threats discovered aboard the flight.
However, the Jamnagar airport was closed off by security forces for about nine hours as the thorough inspection of the aircraft was carried out in response to the bomb threat.
Local authorities, police, and the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad thoroughly examined the jet (BDDS).
Later, the Russian Embassy issued a statement claiming that they had been informed about the claimed bomb fear aboard the flight by the Indian police.
“The Embassy was alerted by Indian authorities about an alleged bomb scare on Azur Air flight from Moscow to Goa. The aircraft made an emergency landing at Jamnagar Indian Air Force Base. Everyone on board is safe; authorities conducting an inspection of the aircraft,” the Russian Embassy said.