Moscow to Goa Azur Air flight bomb scare was a hoax, plane cleared for takeoff

On January 9, an Azur Air flight from Moscow to Goa made an emergency landing in Jamnagar IAF base, Gujarat after Indian Aviation authorities received an email alleging a bomb threat on the flight. After hours of inspection, frisking of passengers, and checking every bag, authorities have not found any suspicious object or bomb on the flight. 

• Airport authorities now say that the flight will be allowed to leave for Goa' Dabolim airport at around 10 am. 

• On the other hand, security was also beefed up at Dabolim airport in Goa. 

On the threat call, we are just taking precautionary measures. We have deployed a special force at the airport. We are watching the activities here, there is nothing to worry about. This can also be a rumour, but we are not taking any chances: Salim Shaikh, DSP, Vasco pic.twitter.com/nGfL5np3lL

— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2023

Passengers: The flight was carrying 236 passengers and 8 crew members. Everyone is reported to be safe.  

Timeline of the incident: 

January 9

10 pm: Flight makes emergency landing at Jamnagar airport

10.15 pm: Crew asked to de-board all passengers

10.20/10.30 pm: Security forces, bomb squad, fire brigade teams and ambulances reach the airport

10.30 pm: All passengers evacuated and taken to safety (away from the flight)

January 10

Till 12 am: Police and other teams carry out thorough checking 

12.30 am: National Security Guard reaches site 

2.20 am: Checking continues

9.30 am: Bomb threat concluded a hoax, flight cleared for take off

What the Russian Embassy said: 

The Embassy was alerted by Indian authorities about 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: Russian Embassy https://t.co/3KuW6mGzWz

— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2023

What Azur Air said: 

#JustIn
Azur Air's statement on its Moscow-Goa flight making an emergency landing in Jamnagar, Gujarat, after a bomb scare.
“The airline has launched a process of responding to information of this kind in accordance with the established procedure..."@AzurAir https://t.co/Ucv95hx1j7 pic.twitter.com/iD7LWR8weB

— Geeta Mohan گیتا موہن गीता मोहन (@Geeta_Mohan) January 9, 2023

What happened? The Moscow to Goa flight made an emergency landing after the Goa Air Traffic Control received an email claiming there was a bomb on the flight. 

• The flight landed at Jamnagar IAF base, which was cordoned off for 9 hours as security officials thoroughly checked the plane, passengers and cargo.
• A bomb squad, fire brigade teams, CISF officials, Jamnagar Collector and the superintendent of police were all present on the site. 

Bomb threat on Moscow-Goa chartered flight | NSG has not found anything suspicious. The flight is expected to leave from Jamnagar to Goa probably between 10:30 am to 11 am today. All bags have been thoroughly checked: Jamnagar Airport Director#Gujarat

— ANI (@ANI) January 10, 2023

• The passengers and crew were de-boarded and accommodated at the lounge area of the airport. 
• No suspicious object or bomb was found on the flight and the flight is set to continue toward its destination. 

While hoax bomb threats are often made, authorities take no chance while investigating the claims. However, those who make the hoax threats face stringent punishment under Indian law. There have been several instances where miscreants have been punished with life terms for making such serious claims.