Two bomb threats on Mumbai-bound flights in 24 hours

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Alarm bells have been ringing at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport after two bomb threats within 24 hours. The first threat was discovered aboard an IndiGo flight, while the second incident was on a Vistara flight early Sunday morning.

Modus operandi

In both instances, the threats were detected in the lavatories of the respective aircraft after handwritten notes were discovered, raising alarms and necessitating swift security responses. The initial threat, encountered on the IndiGo flight, was swiftly assessed by the Bomb Threat Analysis Committee (BTAC), which deemed it non-specific, alleviating immediate concerns and allowing operations to resume with heightened vigilance. However, the subsequent threat on the Vistara flight remained under scrutiny, with security checks and investigations ongoing to ascertain the credibility and severity of the situation.

IndiGo bomb threat

Indigo flight 6E 5314 from Chennai to Mumbai discovered a bomb threat after departing from Chennai at approximately 6.50 am. The flight was en route when it received a bomb alert asking the pilot not to land the plane in Mumbai," sources said. A source from Mumbai ATC said, "We received the distress call and a full-scale emergency was declared. The aircraft, after evacuation, was directed to a remote bay where officials concerned assessed the threat and found it to be a hoax."

Vistara bomb threat

"Vistara flight UK 024 from Paris to Mumbai encountered a bomb threat mid-flight when a handwritten note was found on an airsickness bag inside the flight." sources told mid-day. A Mumbai ATC source said, "A full emergency was declared at 10.08 am on June 2 and the flight landed at 10.19 am. After the evacuation process, the aircraft was directed to a secluded bay and was checked by the security officials. The bomb threat was found to be a hoax after thorough checking of the flight."

Airlines speak

Passengers and airline staff were subjected to thorough security protocols and screenings as authorities worked to ensure the safety and security of all individuals involved. Both airlines have issued statements regarding the threats found on the flights. IndiGo, "IndiGo flight 6E5314 operating from Chennai to Mumbai received a bomb threat. After landing in Mumbai, the crew followed protocol and the aircraft was taken to an isolation bay as per security agency guidelines. All passengers have safely disembarked the aircraft. Post security checks, the aircraft was placed back in the terminal area."

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Vistara said in a statement: "We confirm that a security concern has been noted by our staff while onboard Vistara flight UK 024 operating from Paris to Mumbai on June 2. Following protocol, we immediately informed the relevant authorities. The flight landed at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai, and we are cooperating with security agencies for all mandatory checks."