In shocking news, a bomb threat message was found on a SpiceJet Boeing 737 after landing in Silchar, Assam yesterday. The message, written on a piece of paper, was reportedly found in the back of the aircraft, prompting a thorough search of the aircraft and passengers. The plane was eventually cleared to fly six hours later.
Report
According to a statement by the Airport Authority of India (AAI), seen in NDTV, the incident occurred on SpiceJet flight SG-8152 from Guwahati to Silchar. The inbound flight was carrying 109 passengers, while the departing flight had 66. However, the departing flight was delayed after a bomb threat note was found in the cabin.
It’s unclear who found the note, but it was located under a passenger seat in the back of the 737’s cabin. The discovery of the note meant that emergency services were called in, and the aircraft was moved to a remote bay away from the terminal.
The plane was then searched by a bomb squad team and other officials to ensure there were no explosives onboard. In addition to this, all 109 incoming passengers were stopped from exiting the airport until the checks were completed.
Following a thorough sweep, the aircraft was declared safe to fly by authorities on the ground. This meant the flight continued its journey back to Guwhati over six hours after arriving at Silchar Airport. The flight safely arrived in Guwahati and Delhi subsequently.
Threats
Bomb threats have proven to be extremely disruptive and dangerous to aircraft around the globe. Since anything from a phone call to a message can trigger emergency protocols, hoax bomb threats have been rising in recent years. The last year alone has seen multiple threats around the globe, with Ryanair receiving even two threats in one week.
Considering how dangerous explosives on aircraft can be, airports and authorities act with extreme caution when dealing with threats. If the plane is on the ground, it is promptly evacuated (along with the surrounding area) and searched by specialized teams. If an aircraft is in the sky when a threat comes in, it is diverted to a designated airport and might even be escorted by Air Force jets, as has happened in the recent past.
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Anyone who thinks that making a false bomb threat does not have consequences, it is a serious crime. A 40-year-old man was jailed for two years last month after falsely claiming a bomb threat on a flight with his family members onboard.
Safety first
When it comes to any chance of explosives in aircraft, the authorities always act out of an abundance of caution. Even an indication from a passenger can result in an aircraft being grounded or forced to land for safety reasons. Since 9/11, the rules have been tightened even further to prevent any negative effects. This has made air travel extremely safe and reduced bombings to negligible amounts.
Have you ever been evacuated from an aircraft? Let us know why in the comments.