A series of alarming threats threw Indian air travel into chaos on Monday.
According to The Independent, an Air India flight bound for New York was forced to make an emergency landing in Delhi following a bomb threat.
The Air India flight AI119, carrying 239 passengers, departed from Mumbai at 2:27 am local time. Shortly after takeoff, the flight was diverted to Delhi International Airport due to a bomb threat received via social media platform X.
Upon landing in Delhi at approximately 4:00 am, all passengers were promptly evacuated from the aircraft. Air India officials stated that the passengers were taken to the airport terminal, where efforts were made to minimize the inconvenience caused by the unexpected disruption.
Usha Rangnani, a senior police officer responsible for security at Delhi airport, confirmed that the threat was received through a post on X. The Boeing 777 aircraft had been in the air for about an hour and a half before the emergency landing was initiated.
Passengers were instructed to leave their luggage behind and wait in a designated holding area at the airport. The sudden evacuation and subsequent wait undoubtedly caused stress and inconvenience for those on board.
The AI119 flight was not the only aircraft affected by bomb threats on Monday. Two other international flights departing from Mumbai airport also received similar threats, though their responses differed.
An IndiGo flight bound for Jeddah was moved to an isolated bay for security checks but was eventually cleared for takeoff. Another IndiGo flight destined for Muscat experienced a significant delay of seven hours due to necessary security protocols.
IndiGo released a statement regarding the incident:
As per protocol, the aircraft was taken to an isolated bay and following the standard operating procedures, mandatory security checks were promptly initiated. Customers were provided with assistance and refreshments, and we sincerely regret the inconvenience caused.
These incidents highlight the serious nature of bomb threats and the extensive precautions airlines must take to ensure passenger safety.
The wave of threats extended beyond air travel, affecting rail transportation as well. A train traveling from Mumbai received a bomb threat, which was later determined to be a hoax.
The Howrah Mail train was halted at Jalgaon station at 4:00 am for security checks. After thorough inspections revealed no actual threat, the train was allowed to continue its journey.
In conclusion, multiple bomb threats severely disrupted air and rail travel in India on Monday. An Air India flight to New York made an emergency landing in Delhi, while other flights and a train experienced delays due to security checks. The incidents highlight the ongoing challenges in maintaining security in the transportation sector and the impact of such threats on travelers.
