Bomb threat note found on Vistara flight from Paris
What's the story
A full emergency was declared at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai on Sunday after a bomb threat note was found on a Vistara flight from Paris. The threat was found written on an airsickness bag aboard the flight carrying 294 passengers and 12 crew members. The crew reported the threat at 10:08am and the plane landed safely in Mumbai by 10:19am.
Airline response
Vistara Airlines confirms security concern, cooperates with authorities
A spokesperson for Vistara Airlines confirmed the security concern on flight UK024 from Paris to Mumbai. "We confirm that a security concern has been noted by our staff while onboard," said the spokesperson. The airline promptly informed relevant authorities and is fully cooperating with security agencies for all mandatory checks, ensuring passenger safety remains paramount.
Hoax pattern
Recent bomb threats: A hoax trend emerges
This incident follows a similar bomb threat received by an IndiGo flight from Varanasi to New Delhi just a day prior, which was later confirmed as a hoax. The threat was reported by a female caller who claimed her husband, identified as Vimal Kumar, was carrying a bomb in his handbag. Upon interrogation, Kumar stated that his wife made the call as she was "mentally unfit."
Widespread threats
Recent spate of bomb threats targeting various establishments
These incidents are part of a recent wave of bomb threats targeting various establishments, including government offices, schools, colleges, hospitals, airports, and hotels. Two days prior to the recent incident, a Delhi-Srinagar Vistara flight also received a bomb threat. On May 27, Mumbai's Taj Mahal Palace hotel and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport also received a bomb threat. However, after thorough searches were conducted at these locations, all threats have so far turned out to be fake.