Turkish Airlines Flight Declared Safe After Emergency Landing Over 'Bomb Threat'

The plane, which was flying from Bangkok to Istanbul, was diverted to Delhi after the pilot told the Air Traffic Controllers that a message written in lipstick on a mirror in one of the washrooms warned of a bomb. (pics)

"There is a bomb in the cargo," the message read. The pilot contacted the Air Traffic Controllers in Nagpur, who guided them to Delhi.

The plane, an Airbus 330, landed at 1.41 pm at the Delhi airport and was taken to an isolation bay.

All passengers were evacuated as security forces searched the plane.

Commandos of the National Security Guard and the police examined every piece of luggage before declaring an all-clear.

At around 6 pm, the plane was cleared for take-off.

"The crew noticed something on the glass and routine check-ups are taking place. It could be a fake bomb, who knows?" said Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju.

All passengers were questioned by the counter-terror wing of the Intelligence Bureau, the Research and Analysis Wing and local police.

Aviation Secretary RN Choubey said the plane was directed to Delhi as it is the best airport for handling a potentially serious situation.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh was briefed on the incident by the chief of the Central Industrial Security Force, which is in charge of airport security.