Tue Oct 15 22:40:00 UTC 2024: ## Bomb Threats Ground Seven Flights, Leading to Disruptions and Investigations
**Mumbai, India -** Seven flights, including an Air India flight to Chicago and an Air India Express flight to Singapore, were diverted, delayed, or subjected to searches on Tuesday after social media posts claimed they had bombs on board. These threats follow similar incidents on Monday, which involved three airlines and a train.
The threats were issued by an X account, @schizobomber777, which has since been suspended. The account, created earlier this month, claimed bombs were on board an Air India Express flight from Jaipur to Bengaluru, a SpiceJet flight from Darbhanga to Mumbai, an Akasa Air flight from Bagdogra to Bengaluru, an Air India flight from Delhi to Chicago, an IndiGo flight from Dammam to Lucknow, an Alliance Air flight from Amritsar to Dehradun, and an Air India Express flight from Madurai to Singapore.
The most dramatic incident involved the Air India Express flight to Singapore (IX684), which was escorted by two F-15 fighter jets of the Singapore Air Force away from populated areas and safely landed at Changi Airport.
The Air India flight to Chicago (AI127) was diverted to Iqaluit, a remote Canadian town, due to the threat. The IndiGo flight from Dammam to Lucknow was diverted to Jaipur. The remaining flights underwent inspections after landing at their layover spots or destinations.
None of the planes had any explosives on board, airlines and aviation officials confirmed.
“Civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Monday held a meeting with the Bureau of Civil Aviation, CISF (Central Industrial Security Force), and other senior officials in airport security over the bomb threats. The ministry will hold a high-level meeting on Wednesday,” news agency ANI reported.
While authorities investigate the source of these threats, the incidents highlight the ongoing challenges of combating online misinformation and the potential for disruption caused by false claims.
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