A flight carrying 442 Hajj pilgrims was forced to divert in Indonesia on Tuesday after a bomb threat was sent via email, prompting immediate security action. The Saudia Airlines flight SV 5276 was en route from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to Jakarta when the threat was received by airport authorities.
According to Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation, an unidentified sender emailed the threat at 7:30 am local time. The message warned of a plan to “blow up” the flight, which carried 207 men and 235 women returning from their Hajj pilgrimage.
Upon evaluating the situation, the pilot chose to reroute the aircraft to Kualanamu International Airport in Medan, located on Sumatra island. The decision was made shortly after 10:00 am to ensure the safety of everyone on board.
Once the plane landed safely in Medan, emergency procedures were activated. The airport authorities evacuated all passengers, and a bomb disposal unit began a full inspection of the aircraft to search for any explosives or suspicious materials.
The transport ministry confirmed that the aircraft remained grounded in Medan as security teams continued their investigation. Flight tracking service Flightradar24 also showed the plane stationed at the airport.
While no explosives have been confirmed yet, the aviation body praised the crew’s quick decision and coordinated efforts to protect the passengers. Authorities are now working to identify the sender of the threatening email and ensure safe travel for all future flights.