Bomb Hoax Forces Emergency Landing of Vistara Flight in Turkey

A Vistara Airlines flight from Mumbai to Frankfurt made an emergency landing in Erzurum, Turkey, due to a bomb scare. Passengers and crew were safely evacuated, and bomb experts are searching the aircraft. Authorities extended airport closures as a precautionary measure.

A Vistara Airlines flight traveling from Mumbai to Frankfurt made an emergency landing in Erzurum, Turkey, on Friday around 4:30 p.m. (1330 GMT) after a piece of paper with 'bomb on board' written on it was discovered in a lavatory, according to Turkish officials.

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported on social media platform X that bomb disposal experts and a search dog were actively searching the aircraft. All 234 passengers and 13 crew members were safely evacuated. A Vistara spokesperson confirmed the security concern and assured full cooperation with the authorities.

Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu told broadcaster TGRT Haber that no evidence of a bomb had been found. As a precaution, an extension of the halt to landings and take-offs at Erzurum Airport was announced, now set until 11 p.m. local time.

(With inputs from agencies.)