Bomb hoax delays Delhi-Varanasi IndiGo flight

Passengers use emergency exits to evacuate the flight. Pic/Police officials

A Varanasi-bound IndiGo flight 6E2211 received a bomb threat at the airport in New Delhi on May 28 morning but a search of the aircraft after passenger evacuation found it to be a hoax. "The bomb scare prompted authorities to evacuate all the staff and 176 passengers onboard and launch a search operation," said a police officer.

"At around 5 am, an information was received regarding a paper found in the lavatory of the IndiGo flight scheduled to depart for Varanasi, with the phrase ‘bomb @5.30' written on it," a senior police officer said. A thorough inspection was conducted, the officer said, adding, "No suspicious items were found. It was a hoax threat. Further investigation is underway." The officials said the threat was found written on a piece of paper in a lavatory by the pilot when the IndiGo 6E2211 flight was preparing to leave from the Indira Gandhi International Airport. A security operation was launched after the pilot informed the control room, they added.

IndiGo in its statement said, "IndiGo flight 6E2211 operating from Delhi to Varanasi had received a specific bomb threat at Delhi airport. All necessary protocols were followed and the aircraft was taken to a remote bay as per guidelines by airport security agencies. All passengers were safely evacuated via the emergency exits. The flight is currently undergoing inspection. Post completion of all security checks, the aircraft will be positioned back in the terminal area."

"An alternative aircraft was arranged to operate flight 6E2211 from Delhi to Varanasi, which was delayed due to a specific bomb threat at Delhi airport. The passengers were provided with refreshments and were boarded. The flight departed for Varanasi at 11.10 am. We regret the inconvenience caused to the passengers," stated the airlines.