Turkish Airlines Bomb Scare a Hoax, Flight Cleared to Take-off

Turkish Airlines flight TK65 had to make an emergency landing at the IGI Airtport in Delhi after bomb threat.

A Turkish Airlines flight landed at the IGI Airport, New Delhi following a bomb threat. (Photo: AP)

Turkish Airlines flight TK-65 had to make an emergency landing at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi following a bomb threat today as reported to the Air Traffic Controller at 1:15 pm.

After nothing suspicious found aboard, the aircraft cleared for take-off said the Aviation Secretary of India, after a day’s search.

The flight was on its way to Istanbul from Bangkok, with a total of 148 passengers on board.

The plane, an Airbus 330, landed safely at 1341 hours today, taken to an isolation bay, sources said, adding “it appears to be a hoax”.

The pilot was informed of a message written with lipstick on the mirror of one of the plane’s washrooms that there was a bomb in the cargo hold of the aircraft, leading the pilot to seek Nagpur ATC’s permission to land the aircraft there. He directed the pilot to approach the Delhi ATC.
–Sources

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma said NSG and bomb disposal squad were pressed into service.

No explosive was found inside the cabin. The cargo portion is being checked.
–Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Civil Aviation

In addition, fire tenders were also kept on stand-by on the runway in case on any emergency.

The flight had been taken to the isolation bay at the IGI Airport. The NSG and CISF had cordoned off the plane.