Flight from Tel Aviv makes emergency landing in Bulgaria 'after bomb threat'

A flight from Israel's Tel Aviv had to make an emergency landing in Bulgaria after a reported bomb threat. 

The Austrian Airlines Airbus A320, which was headed from Israel to Vienna, made the emergency stopover in Sofia after what the airline confirmed was a threat made against the flight. 

Flight OS83, carrying 51 passengers and six crew members, landed safely at Sofia Airport (SOF) at 8.42 pm on Sunday, October 18, or 7.42 pm BST, with all aboard evacuated. 

Bulgaria's Ministry of Transport and Communications confirmed the flight crew reported a 'bomb threat signal' while on the border with Romania, prompting them to land in the Bulgarian capital around 30 minutes later. 

The ministry said a crisis response team has now been set up and the relevant authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. 

'According to the procedures, an Air Force fighter took off and accompanied the plane until it landed at the airport in Sofia,' a spokesperson said.

'A working headquarters has been formed, and the responsible institutions have started an inspection. Passengers were taken off board the aircraft.'

According to Flightradar24 data, the aircraft, registered OE-LZE, entered Romanian airspace at around 9.10 pm before turning south and heading back towards Bulgaria, where it landed in Sofia. 

Data from flight-tracking platform ADS-B Exchange indicates the aircraft was transmitting squawk code 7700 - a signal for a general emergency - at around the same time.

A spokesperson from Austrian Airlines confirmed a 'threat' was made against the flight, which 'necessitated a stopover in Sofia'. 

They said: 'We can confirm that a threat was made against flight OS82 from Tel Aviv to Vienna (TLV to VIE), which necessitated a stopover in Sofia (SOF). 

'The flight landed safely in SOF at 20:42 CEST. The aircraft in question – an Airbus A320 – is now being searched. There were 51 passengers and 6 crew members on board. 

'Once the aircraft has been searched, the passengers will be rebooked onto a prompt alternative flight. The safety of our passengers and crew is always our top priority.'