A New York-bound Air India flight carrying 239 passengers was forced to make an emergency landing in Delhi following multiple bomb threats, causing disruption in air and rail travel in India. The AI119 flight departed from Mumbai and had been in the air for about an hour and a half before being diverted to Delhi airport early Monday morning.
Upon landing, all passengers were evacuated from the Boeing 777 aircraft and taken to the terminal, while authorities worked to ensure minimal inconvenience to the travellers. The bomb threat was reportedly received via a post on social media, according to Usha Rangnani, a senior police officer overseeing security at the Delhi airport.
In addition to the Air India flight, two other international flights departing from Mumbai – an IndiGo flight to Jeddah and another to Muscat – also received bomb threats. The flight to Jeddah was taken to an isolated bay for security checks before being cleared for takeoff. Similarly, the flight to Muscat experienced a delay of seven hours as security procedures were carried out.
Not limited to air travel, a train departing from Mumbai, the Howrah Mail, also received a bomb threat resulting in a temporary halt at Jalgaon station for security checks. Fortunately, the threat was deemed a hoax, and the train was able to resume its journey after necessary precautions were taken.
The incidents have highlighted the importance of stringent security measures in the face of increasing threats to public transportation. Authorities are urging vigilance and adherence to safety protocols to ensure the safety of passengers and crew members amidst such emergencies.