Phuket-Delhi Air India flight makes emergency landing in Thailand after bomb threat

Air India's flight AI379 scheduled to fly from Phuket to New Delhi was diverted back to Phuket in Thailand after a bomb threat note was found in the lavatory of the aircraft, as per reports.

The aircraft reportedly returned to Phuket only after 20 minutes into the flight.

More details on this are awaited.

This comes a day after Air India-171 Ahmedabad-London flight crashed soon after taking off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon.

Air India later confirmed that all crew members and passengers except one, died in the fatal crash.

According to preliminary information, within just two minutes of take-off, the rear portion of the aircraft reportedly could not find elevation and collided with a tree, causing it to veer off course and crash into BJ Medical College’s boys hostel.

The impact was severe, resulting in injuries to several passengers and crew members. Emergency response teams were immediately deployed to the scene.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday described the crash as a “national tragedy that has plunged the entire country into mourning” and expressing grief over the immense loss of life, assured families of the victims that the government will provide unwavering support during this time of sorrow. 

Providing an update on the casualties, he noted, “The aircraft was carrying 230 passengers, including both Indian nationals and foreign citizens, as well as 12 crew members. Amidst this tragedy, I have received some hopeful news -one passenger has survived. I have personally met him.”

“Only after the DNA process is completed will we be able to release the names,” he said.