Passenger Threatens To Detonate 'Bombs Strapped To Body' Mid-Air Forcing Emergency Landing

An AirAsia passenger threatened to blow up a flight mid-air, forcing the aircraft to return to the airport. The incident took place onboard a flight from the Indian city of Kolkata to Mumbai on Saturday night.

Officials said minutes after the flight took off from the Kolkata airport, the female passenger, identified as Mohini Mondol, sent a note to the pilot through one of the cabin crew members. The note said bombs were strapped to the passenger’s body and that she would detonate it. The pilot immediately informed the air traffic controller and made an emergency landing at the airport.

Upon landing, the flight was taken to the isolation bay and the passenger was handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). She was checked thoroughly and no bombs were found. A medical examination suggested that Mondol was drunk.

"An investigation has been initiated and we are also talking to her family members to find out why she was going to Mumbai," an airport official said, adding that the passenger pulled off the ploy as she wanted to get back to Kolkata.

Confirming the incident, an airline spokesperson said, the flight made a "mid-air turn back for a precautionary landing after a passenger reported carrying explosives and warned of dire consequences.”

"AirAsia India operations coordinated with Kolkata ATC to initiate an immediate landing in Kolkata. Post landing, the aircraft was secured with the assistance of airport security staff and all the protocols were followed by the concerned agencies and the individual in question was detained," the spokesperson said, adding, "Delays caused due to this are regretted, but we would like to reiterate that we prioritize safety and security of our guests and crew at all times.”