Jamnagar: A chartered flight from Moscow to Goa with 244 people onboard made an emergency landing in Gujarat’s Jamnagar on Monday late evening. Earlier, the Goa Air traffic controller received a bomb threat, and a bomb squad along with fire brigade teams were rushed to the spot.
CISF officials and the Jamnagar district collector and superintendent of police too reached the airport, official sources said.
“All the 236 passengers and eight crew members were evacuated safely and the aircraft was thoroughly checked by local authorities along with the police and Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad,” said Inspector General of Police (Rajkot and Jamnagar Range), Ashok Kumar Yadav.
According to Jamnagar airport authorities, the aircraft is in an isolation bay.
“Indian authorities alerted the Russian Embassy about the alleged bomb scare on the Azur Air flight ZF2401 en route from Moscow to Goa. The plane made an emergency landing at Jamnagar Indian Air Force Base. Everyone on board is safe. The authorities are conducting a thorough inspection of the aircraft,” a statement issued by the Russian Embassy read.
Jamnagar airport director said the plane landed safely at Jamnagar (defence) airport at 9:49 pm, adding, “All passengers have been deboarded.”
A Goa Police official said the flight took off from Moscow and was supposed to land at the Dabolim airport.
Jamnagar Superintendent of Police, Premsukh Delu told the media, “NSG team and local Bomb Detection & Disposal Squad (BDDS) teams are detecting the entire flight, only after the NSG gives clearance, the flight will be allowed to take off from Jamnagar and it is likely to take more time, as entire flight and passengers baggage is to be cleared by the teams.”
Meanwhile, security has been tightened outside Goa International Airport after the Goa ATC received a bomb threat. Deputy Superintendent of Police, Vasco, Salim Shaikh said that precautionary measures are being taken and a special force has been deployed at the airport to monitor the movement of people and track any suspicious activity.
