Austrian Airlines flight OS82, an Airbus A320 travelling from Tel Aviv to Vienna, was diverted to Sofia, Bulgaria, on Sunday evening after a bomb threat triggered a major security response. Fighter jets were scrambled to escort the aircraft as it made an emergency landing.
The flight was carrying 51 passengers and six crew members when the alarm was raised. According to Bulgarian National Television (BNT), citing the country's Ministry of Transport and Communications, the crew reported receiving a bomb threat while the aircraft was near the border with Romania. The crew then decided to make an emergency landing in Sofia.
Fighter Jets Escort Aircraft
Bulgaria's Ministry of Defence said MiG-29 fighter jets took off in accordance with procedures and escorted the passenger aircraft until it landed at Sofia Airport. Passengers were taken off the plane following the emergency landing.
A task force was subsequently formed and the relevant Bulgarian institutions began an investigation into the incident, BNT reported.
Threat Report Details
Israeli outlet Ynet reported that the airline received the bomb threat after the aircraft had left Israeli airspace. Passengers told the outlet that they had been informed an "anonymous report of a bomb on the plane" had been received, prompting the aircraft to divert from its original route to the Austrian capital.
Ynet reported that the threat came from an Austrian citizen who was not on board the aircraft. Passengers were evacuated and security checks began on the Airbus A320, with the outlet reporting that initial indications suggested the incident was a false alarm.
Aircraft Lands Safely
Among those on board was reportedly a delegation of young people who had been scheduled to deliver speeches at the United Nations. The Lufthansa Group, which owns Austrian Airlines, confirmed that a threat had been received concerning flight OS82.
It said the aircraft landed safely in Sofia at 8.42pm Central European Summer Time and that passengers would be placed on another flight. The Lufthansa Group said in a statement: "We confirm that a threat was received concerning Austrian Airlines flight OS82 from Tel Aviv to Vienna, prompting the aircraft to divert to Sofia, Bulgaria. The plane landed safely at 8:42 p.m. Central European Summer Time. The Airbus A320 underwent security checks. There were 51 passengers and six crew members on board. Passengers will be rebooked on an alternative flight as soon as possible."
The Associated Press also reported that the incident was being investigated, citing Bulgarian state television. No injuries have been reported.
