VASCO
In a yet another incident involving a hoax bomb threat, a Russian charter Goa-bound Azur Air flight was diverted to an airport in Uzbekistan in the wee hours of Saturday morning before it entered the Indian Air space.
Speaking to media, Mormugao DySP Salim Shaikh said the flight had around 247 passengers and 7 crew members.
"This is the second incident involving the same flight in less than two weeks and while the last call was made to the Azur Airways, this time there was a threat mail sent to the Goa Airport director. The flight was scheduled to arrive at Goa Airport in Dabolim at around 4.15 am but was diverted to Uzbekistan after the threat mail received at around 12.30 am.”
“The mail said that the Azur Air flight had a bomb planted and the Airport immediately alerted us and we immediately activated our teams. We mobilised the Anti Terrorist Squad, Bomb Disposal Squad, Fire brigade and we also had a meeting after which the flight was diverted to Uzbekistan.”
“We are not aware of the present situation and the checking carried out in the flight at Uzbekistan but we will be informed once the flight leaves for Goa. The flight will drop the passengers here and take back Russian tourists who were in Goa on its return journey. We don't want to take any chances and we have taken all precautionary measures and we will verify this incident as well," said DySP Shaikh.
