Update (16 Oct, 8.15am): The Singapore Police Force (SPF) told MS News that it has completed security checks on the plane and no threatening items were found. More below.
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The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) scrambled two F-15 fighter jets this evening (15 October) after Air India Express received a bomb threat.
Announcing this on Facebook, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said the airline received an email informing it of a bomb on board flight AXB684 that was bound for Singapore.
“Two of our RSAF’s F-15SGs scrambled and escorted the plane away from populated areas, to finally land safely at Singapore Changi Airport at around 10.04pm tonight,” he said.
Source: Ng Eng Hen on Facebook
“Our Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) systems and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team were also activated.”
Upon landing, the plane was handed to the Airport Police and investigations are ongoing.
“Many thanks to the dedication and professionalism of our SAF and Home Team that keep us safe in our homes, even when threats exist around us” said Dr Ng.
The police said it was alerted at about 8.25pm to an alleged bomb threat on the flight.
The plane landed safely at Changi Airport under the escort of RSAF fighter aircraft, and the police completed security checks thereafter, it said.
“No threat items were found,” it said. Police investigations are ongoing.
“The Police take security threats seriously and will not hesitate to take action against those who intentionally cause public alarm,” SPF added.
The RSAF echoed Dr Ng’s post, saying its GBAD systems were activated to be on high alert. “Thank you to our duty personnel who responded to keep our skies safe, 24/7.”
The Singapore Army on its Facebook said its EOD Team from the 36th Battalion, Singapore Combat Engineers (36 SCE) was deployed in response to the suspected bomb threat.
“We salute our soldiers from 36 SCE for keeping us safe round the clock,” it said.
According to Flightradar24, the flight departed the city of Madurai at 1.54pm local time, and was scheduled to arrive in Singapore at 8.50pm.
Source: Flightradar24
It circled for more than an hour before landing at 10.04pm.
Source: Flightradar24.com
Many commenters on Dr Ng’s post said they had heard the sound of the jets overhead and wondered what had happened.
“I was wondering why the fighter jets were flying at that time of the night over Serangoon. They sounded like they were in a hurry,” one said.
They also thanked RSAF for keeping Singapore’ skies safe.
This incident is one of many bomb hoaxes involving Indian airlines in the last two days.
Earlier today, an Air India plane bound for Chicago made an abrupt emergency landing in Canada after a false bomb threat, according to The Guardian.
Also read: RSAF Commemorates 55 Years With Open House, Sit In Fighter Jets & Try Out Simulators
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Featured image adapted from Flightradar24.com and Ng Eng Hen on Facebook.
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