Tel Aviv–Vienna flight lands in Sofia after bomb threat
The aircraft departed Sofia before 03:00 on 19 October, BNT reports. Flight OS82 had been diverted the previous evening following a bomb threat.
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Updated on 19 October at 08:09 Bulgarian time: The aircraft departed Sofia shortly before 03:00 this morning, BNT reports, citing the Transport Ministry. The report was published at 08:04 and does not specify the investigators’ findings.
An Airbus A320 operating flight OS82 from Tel Aviv to Vienna was diverted to Sofia on the evening of 18 October following a bomb threat. BTA reported the incident, citing Bulgaria’s Transport Ministry.
The ministry’s initial information puts 51 passengers and six crew members on board. A Bulgarian fighter jet escorted the aircraft until landing. The passengers disembarked and the authorities began an inspection.
Austrian Airlines confirmed to Reuters that the aircraft landed safely. The carrier plans to rebook passengers on another flight after the inspection.
As of our check at 08:03 Bulgarian time on 19 October, the reviewed sources had not confirmed a final outcome. A threat does not mean an explosive device was found. Published accounts differ on the exact landing time, so we do not present a specific time as established fact.
Sources
- BNT — new information from the Transport Ministry, 19 October
- BTA — Transport Ministry statement, 18 October
- Reuters — Austrian Airlines statement
Photo: Niklas Jonasson / Unsplash, Unsplash License. Illustration from Skellefteå Airport, not the incident in Sofia; cropped and resized to 1200 × 675 px.
