IndiGo Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Lucknow Following Bomb Threat
An IndiGo flight traveling from Delhi to Bagdogra faced a serious security scare on Sunday morning. The aircraft, carrying 230 passengers and seven crew members, received a mid-air bomb warning. This alarming situation forced the pilots to divert the plane to Lucknow's Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport.
Emergency Procedures Activated Immediately
Lucknow's Air Traffic Control received the alert from flight 6E-6650 at 8:46 AM. The aircraft executed an emergency landing just thirty-one minutes later at 9:17 AM. Airport authorities immediately moved the plane to an isolation bay upon touchdown. They wanted to ensure maximum safety for everyone involved.
Officials quickly formed a Bomb Threat Assessment Committee to handle the crisis. Security agencies deployed Quick Reaction Teams that cordoned off the aircraft. Specialized bomb-disposal squads arrived at the scene to conduct thorough checks. The entire operation lasted over seven hours as teams meticulously searched the plane.
Discovery of Handwritten Note and Package
During their investigation, authorities found a handwritten note in the rear lavatory. The disturbing message read simply: "Bomb on the plane." This discovery heightened concerns among security personnel.
Officials also examined a package in the plane's luggage hold that contained radioactive material. The package held cancer medicine and came with a No Objection Certificate. While potentially alarming, this medical shipment was properly documented and authorized for transport.
Passenger Details and Airline Response
The flight carried 222 adult passengers along with eight infants. The crew consisted of two pilots and five flight attendants. IndiGo released a statement addressing the incident directly.
"Following the established protocol, we informed the relevant authorities immediately," the airline stated. "As always, safety and security of our customers, crew and aircraft are our topmost priorities."
The airline made efforts to minimize passenger inconvenience during the lengthy delay. They provided refreshments and regular updates about the situation. After receiving clearance late in the afternoon, the aircraft finally departed for Bagdogra at 4:30 PM.
Police Investigation and Similar Incident
Lucknow Police announced a formal investigation into the bomb threat on Sunday evening. Additional DCP Vasanth Kumar confirmed they received a complaint from IndiGo's Vineet Kumar. "After a preliminary probe, we will register an FIR," Kumar stated.
Meanwhile, officials at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport revealed a related development. They had received an email last week warning of an explosion scheduled for January 14th. A thorough search proved this threat to be a hoax as well. Authorities filed a criminal case two days after that incident.
These consecutive security scares have raised concerns about aviation safety protocols. Authorities continue to investigate both incidents to determine if they might be connected.
