Moscow-Goa flight Bomb threat: Nothing suspicious found, Azur Air plane to depart Jamnagar airbase soon

A Goa-bound Azur Air plane travelling from Moscow with more than 200 passengers onboard made an emergency landing in Jamnagar following a bomb threat on the flight.

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The Goa-bound Azur Air flight that originated from Moscow was diverted to Jamnagar, Gujarat on Monday evening (January 9) following a bomb threat. After the crew received clearance for an emergency landing at Jamnagar airport, the charter flight carrying over 235 passengers made a landing an IAF airbase. The National Security Guard (NSG) found nothing suspicious onboard the Moscow-Goa chartered flight, which was diverted to Gujarat's Jamnagar after Goa ATC followed an alleged bomb threat, Jamnagar Airport director informed on Tuesday.

According to the airport director, the flight will depart from Jamnagar to Goa between 10.30 am and 11 am. Meanwhile, security forces carried out an intensive search of the passengers onboard the Moscow-Goa chartered flight.

"NSG has not found anything suspicious. The flight is expected to leave from Jamnagar to Goa, sometime between 10.30 am and 11 am. All the cabin baggage has been thoroughly checked," said Jamnagar Airport Director.

Earlier, the security agencies cordoned off the airport for 9 hours. A total of 236 passengers and eight crew members were on the flight. They said all passengers were safely evacuated and escorted to the lounge inside the terminal building.

The Russian Embassy issued a statement saying they were alerted by the Indian authorities about the alleged bomb scare on the Azur Air flight en route from Moscow to Goa. "The Embassy was alerted by Indian authorities about an alleged bomb scare on Azur Air flight from Moscow to Goa. The aircraft made an emergency landing at Jamnagar Indian Air Force Base. Everyone on board is safe; authorities conducting an inspection of the aircraft," said the Russian Embassy in a statement.

Jamnagar District Collector Saurabh Parghi told ANI, "An intensive search was carried out by security agencies from 9.50 pm (on Monday) till the morning hours." He said security agencies were also verifying the passenger details.

"Checking is done through routine scanning of passengers. Non-stop work has been on for nine hours. The baggage was checked and details verified," he said. "We received information about a bomb threat in the Moscow-Goa flight, which was diverted. The flight had 236 passengers and 8 crew members. All passengers were escorted out safely and are in the airport lounge. Bomb detection and disposal work are underway," the Jamnagar district collector had said earlier.

With ANI inputs