Air traffic control officers in Jakarta received a call about a bomb threat for the flight.
JAKARTA, — A flight carrying 376 Hajj pilgrims returning from the Middle East to Indonesia was diverted on Saturday following a bomb threat — marking the second such scare involving returning pilgrims in less than a week.
According to Indonesia’s Ministry of Transport and police, the Saudia Airlines flight SV5688, which had originated in Jeddah and transited through Muscat, was en route to Surabaya, East Java, when Jakarta’s air traffic control received a call alerting them of a potential bomb threat.
Authorities immediately redirected the aircraft to Kualanamu International Airport in Medan, North Sumatra, where it landed safely. A bomb squad was deployed to inspect the aircraft, while the airport remained operational during the security operation.
“All 376 passengers and 13 crew members were unharmed,” North Sumatra police spokesperson Ferry Walintukan confirmed, adding that no explosive device was found during the search.
The passengers, all Hajj returnees from Java, are expected to resume their journey to Surabaya on Sunday, according to Asri Santosa, head of the regional airport authority.
The incident follows a similar scare on Tuesday when another Hajj return flight carrying 442 passengers was diverted to Medan after authorities received a bomb threat via email.
Authorities are investigating both threats and enhancing security measures for incoming Hajj flights to ensure passenger safety.
