A British Airways aircraft traveling from London to Hyderabad became the center of a major security scare on Tuesday after receiving a bomb threat, forcing an emergency diversion to Mumbai airport.
Emergency Landing in Mumbai
The flight BA277, which had departed from London Heathrow Airport, was approximately midway through its journey when the pilot received information about a potential security threat onboard. The aircraft immediately initiated emergency protocols and was redirected to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai.
According to airport authorities, the plane landed safely at Mumbai airport around 11:30 PM local time. Emergency services, including fire tenders and medical teams, were put on high alert and positioned near the runway as a standard precautionary measure.
Security Response and Investigation
Following the emergency landing, all 297 passengers and 13 crew members were safely evacuated from the aircraft. Security personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) immediately cordoned off the area and began thorough checks of the aircraft, baggage, and passengers.
"The bomb threat was received through official channels while the flight was airborne," confirmed a senior security official. "Following established protocols, the decision was made to divert to the nearest suitable airport, which was Mumbai."
Security agencies conducted a comprehensive sweep of the aircraft that lasted several hours. No suspicious items or explosives were found during the security check, confirming that the threat was a hoax.
Passenger Handling and Flight Resumption
Airport authorities made arrangements for all passengers to be accommodated in transit lounges while security procedures were underway. British Airways staff provided regular updates and assistance to affected travelers.
After the all-clear was given by security agencies, the flight eventually resumed its journey to Hyderabad, arriving at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport with a significant delay of approximately six hours.
"We take all security threats seriously and follow established procedures to ensure the safety of our customers and crew," stated a British Airways spokesperson. "We apologize to customers for the disruption to their journey."
Aviation security agencies have launched an investigation to trace the origin of the hoax threat. This incident marks another case in a series of bomb threats targeting Indian airports and airlines in recent months, raising concerns about the misuse of security systems and the need for enhanced verification protocols.
