Chennai: An IndiGo flight (6E-5319) en route from Mumbai to Phuket, Thailand, was forced to make an emergency landing at Chennai International Airport on September 19 following a mid-air bomb threat. The aircraft, carrying 172 passengers and crew, was diverted after the airline received a security alert, triggering a high-level security response.
According to officials, the threat was received while the aircraft was airborne. A mysterious individual, believed to have been present at the Mumbai airport, allegedly called in the threat, claiming that powerful bombs had been planted in the aircraft’s toilet and that the plane would explode mid-flight before disconnecting the call. The flight’s crew immediately followed standard security protocols, alerting aviation authorities who directed the plane to land at the nearest major airport, Chennai.
High-Alert Security Operation at Chennai Airport
Upon landing, the aircraft was directed to an isolated bay for a thorough security inspection. All 172 passengers and crew were swiftly and safely evacuated from the plane and accommodated in the airport lounges. A multi-agency team comprising Chennai Airport Security officials, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel, bomb disposal squads, and special forces immediately cordoned off the area and conducted an intensive, multi-hour sweep of the aircraft.
After a comprehensive check, security officials confirmed that no suspicious objects were found on board. The threat was officially declared a hoax. “The aircraft was subjected to the highest level of security scrutiny. Nothing suspicious has been found, and the call has been deemed a hoax,” a senior security official stated.
Flight Resumes After Night Curfew Delay
IndiGo Airlines, in an official statement, assured passengers of their safety and comfort throughout the ordeal. The airline provided regular updates and refreshments to passengers during the delay. The flight’s onward journey to Phuket was further complicated by a night curfew at the Phuket airport, which restricts operations during late hours.
Following the all-clear from security agencies and a complete final inspection, the aircraft was cleared for departure. The flight from Chennai to Phuket resumed later that night, once the curfew at the destination airport was lifted.