Bomb Threat on Indian Flight Forced to Land in Turkey Was False, Local Governor Reports

Emergency Landing Due to False Bomb Threat in Turkey

ISTANBUL (Reuters) – A flight operated by India’s Vistara Airlines had to make an emergency landing in Erzurum, Turkey, on Friday due to a bomb threat that turned out to be unfounded, according to the local governor.

Authorities indicated that a note stating "bomb on board" was discovered in a lavatory on the plane, which led to a thorough search by bomb disposal teams. All 234 passengers and 13 crew members were evacuated safely.

A spokesperson for Vistara confirmed that flight UK27, traveling from Mumbai to Frankfurt, was diverted as a result of a "security concern," landing in Erzurum at 4:30 PM local time.

Erzurum governor Mustafa Ciftci informed reporters at the airport that all search operations were completed by 11:30 PM, confirming that the bomb threat was not credible.

He also announced the resumption of normal flight operations at the airport, stating, "All flights coming or leaving from our province will now be able to fly comfortably."

In a statement on social media, Vistara reported that security agencies cleared the passengers, crew, and the aircraft after thorough checks. The airline is arranging for an alternative aircraft to reach Turkey by 12:25 PM local time on Saturday to transport passengers to Frankfurt.