Hajj Pilgrims’ Flight Diverted by Bomb Threat in Indonesia

• Email bomb threat reported to authorities, according to Indonesia’s aviation agency.
• In response to security concerns, the pilot opted to divert the aircraft’s landing.
• The airport evacuated passengers; a bomb squad conducted a thorough sweep of the aircraft for explosives.

A plane carrying hundreds of Hajj pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia was rerouted in Indonesia on Tuesday due to an email bomb threat received by local authorities, according to the country’s aviation agency.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation reported that it was notified by the airport operator about a bomb threat delivered via email by an unknown sender.

The email, sent at 7:30 AM local time (0030 GMT), included a threat to “blow up” Saudia Airlines flight SV 5276, which was traveling from Jeddah to Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital.

By 10:00 AM, the pilot decided to change the flight’s destination from Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport to Kualanamu International Airport in Medan, located on Sumatra island in western Indonesia.

The aircraft was carrying a total of 442 Hajj pilgrims, comprising 207 men and 235 women.

“Upon recognizing potential security and safety issues, the pilot made the decision to land at the nearest airport,” stated InJourney Airports, the airport operator in Indonesia.

According to a transport ministry official speaking to AFP, the plane remained in Medan, as confirmed by Flightradar24.

The airport proceeded to evacuate the pilgrims, and a bomb disposal unit was deployed to inspect the airplane for any explosives, as detailed in the agency’s announcement.