Bomb Threat Forces Diversion of Indonesian Plane Carrying Hundreds of Hajj Pilgrims

An Indonesian flight transporting 442 hajj pilgrims from Saudi Arabia was diverted to a different airport on Tuesday following a bomb threat sent via email to aviation authorities, the country’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation confirmed.

At 7:30 a.m. local time (0030 GMT), an unidentified individual sent an electronic mail warning that Saudia Airlines flight SV 5276—en route from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport—was at risk of being “blown up.”

In response to the credible threat, the flight’s pilot took precautionary measures and rerouted the aircraft to Kualanamu International Airport in Medan, on the island of Sumatra, shortly after 10 a.m.

“The pilot, prioritizing passenger safety amid identified security concerns, opted to divert to the nearest airport,” said InJourney Airports, the Indonesian airport operator overseeing the diversion.

The plane, carrying 207 male and 235 female pilgrims, remained on the ground in Medan as authorities evacuated passengers and conducted thorough security sweeps.

A bomb disposal unit inspected the aircraft, with officials confirming no explosives were found. The Ministry of Transportation reported the situation was under control, with the plane still stationed at Medan Airport, as verified by Flightradar24 flight tracking data.

This swift response highlights Indonesia’s commitment to safeguarding its citizens during the annual pilgrimage return journey, amid heightened vigilance for potential security threats.