Panic gripped the skies on Tuesday morning when a Saudi Airlines aircraft carrying over 440 Hajj pilgrims was forced to make an emergency landing in Indonesia following a bomb threat.
The aircraft, Saudia Airlines Flight SV 5276, left Jeddah for Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport when the threat was received via email by airport authorities.
The chilling message, sent at 07:30 a.m. local time (0030 GMT), threatened to “blow up” the plane, sparking immediate security action.
Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation confirmed that the warning came from an unidentified individual, prompting the crew to divert the flight to a safer location.
At approximately 10:00 a.m., the pilot rerouted the plane to Kualanamu International Airport in Medan, located on Sumatra Island, prioritising passenger safety.
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The plane was carrying 442 returning pilgrims, including 207 men and 235 women, many of whom had just completed their spiritual journey in Mecca.
According to Indonesia’s airport operator, InJourney Airports, the pilot acted swiftly upon detecting a credible threat, opting for the nearest safe airport rather than proceed to the busy Jakarta hub.
Upon landing in Medan, the airport was immediately placed on high alert. Emergency teams, including bomb disposal units, were deployed to sweep the aircraft for any explosive devices. The passengers were evacuated safely, and authorities began a thorough inspection of the cabin and cargo.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the Saudia aircraft remained grounded in Medan, with investigations ongoing. Flightradar24 data confirmed the aircraft’s location, while officials from Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation reassured the public that all security protocols were being followed with precision.
News Express
