Bomb threat forces Austrian Airlines Tel Aviv-Vienna flight to land in Sofia
The plane was evacuated after landing, while Bulgaria's MiG-29 fighters escorted it as authorities opened a probe.
An Austrian Airlines flight from Tel Aviv to Vienna made an emergency landing in Sofia, Bulgaria, after the crew received a bomb threat as the aircraft approached Romanian airspace on Sunday (18/10). Bulgaria's Transport Ministry said the Airbus A320, flight OS82, was then evacuated after landing. The Bulgarian air force deployed MiG-29 fighter jets to escort the plane in line with procedure. Flightradar24 data showed the aircraft turned south after briefly entering Romanian airspace at about 21.10 local time, while ADS-B Exchange recorded squawk code 7700, indicating a general emergency. The airline said there were 51 passengers and six crew members on board. Bulgarian authorities formed a crisis response team and opened an investigation.