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Plane from Russia to Goa makes emergency landing in Uzbekistan after bomb threat
The Russian embassy said no dangerous substances were found onboard the flight and it will resume its journey at Indian time 1.30am
A Goa bound chartered flight from Perm, Russia, carrying 247 people was forced to make an emergency landing in Uzbekistan after receiving a bomb threat, officials said. Later, the Russian embassy in a statement said no dangerous substances were found onboard the flight and it will resume its journey at 20:00 GMT (Indian time 1.30am).
The threat informing about the presence of a bomb on board Azur Air flight AZV2463 was received via email to the address of the director of Goa’s Dabolim airport. “We received the threat and quickly informed the airline. The plane was yet to enter into the Indian airspace and was diverted to an airport in Uzbekistan,” said an official who did not want to be named.
The Goa Airport has stepped up security including deployment of the Anti Terror Squad, firefighters and additional police personnel in the wake of the threat.
Ernest Dias of Sita Travel Agency that is handling the arrival of the charter flight confirmed that they have been informed about the delay. The flight was scheduled to land at the Goa airport at 4.55pm.
“We were informed that there has been yet another incident, but the plane was yet to enter the Indian airspace. I understand that the plane will be given an all clear soon and will be cleared for take off,” Dias said.
The incident happened nearly two weeks after another chartered flight from Russia belonging to Azur Air was diverted to an airport in Jamnagar, Gujarat, on January 9, after a similar threat informing about the presence of a bomb was received via email. The plane was cleared for take off nearly nine hours later after a thorough check of the plane, the passengers and their luggage, and the email threat was declared a hoax.
