New Delhi: Turkish Airlines plane that landed at Delhi's IGI airport this afternoon following a bomb threat has been cleared for take-off.
The clearance was given as nothing suspicious was found in the plane by the authorities.
An Istanbul-bound Turkish Airlines flight from Bangkok with 148 passengers onboard landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here under full emergency conditions due to a bomb scare.
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,” the sources said. Following this, the aircraft was diverted to Delhi and where it landed at 1341 hours, they added.
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,” he said, adding the process may take about three hours. He said the entire area was cordoned off and the fire brigade was alerted.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to CISF DG Surender Singh who apprised him about he situation at the IGI airport.
Turkish Airlines, in a statement, said that it's flight was diverted to Delhi following a possible bomb threat. “Turkish Airlines Bangkok - Istanbul flight (TK065, A 330 Aircraft, carrying 134 passengers) was diverted to Delhi after a possible bomb threat.
The plane has already landed in Delhi and all of our passengers and cabin crew have been safely evacuated and taken to the terminal building,” it said.
Necessary safety checks are currently taking place, it said adding furthermore, precautions have been taken for towing the aircraft out of its current place, and this is currently in progress.
Statement of Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines flight TK0065 from Bangkok to İstanbul (A 330 Aircraft, carrying 134 passengers) has been diverted to Delhi following a possible bomb threat on board.
The plane has already successfully landed in Delhi and all of our passengers and cabin crew have been evacuated safely and taken to the terminal building.
Necessary safety checks are currently taking place. Furthermore, precautions have been taken for towing the aircraft to be towed to a new position in line with standard safety procedures. This is currently in progress.
After completing all necessary safety checks the plane will continue its journey to Istanbul.
