An Austrian Airlines flight traveling from Tel Aviv to Vienna was forced to divert to Bulgaria following a reported bomb threat.
The Airbus A320, en route from Tel Aviv to Vienna late Sunday, executed an emergency landing in Sofia. Passengers were evacuated following the incident, according to the Bulgarian transport ministry.
The Bulgarian air force dispatched a MiG-29 fighter jet to escort the airliner. Authorities confirmed no injuries and stated an investigation has been launched.
Bulgarian and Israeli media outlets confirmed that a bomb threat had been issued.
Austrian Airlines confirmed the threat but declined to provide additional details. A company spokesperson told the BBC that 51 passengers and six crew members were on board the aircraft.
Security personnel conducted a thorough search of the aircraft after it touched down in Sofia. Authorities noted the plane was over Romanian airspace when the decision to divert was made.
Subsequent inspection by Austrian Airlines confirmed no explosive device was found. The flight subsequently completed its journey to Vienna, with all passengers and crew on board.
Flight tracking data indicated Austrian Airlines Flight 82 departed Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv on Sunday evening and touched down at Sofia’s Vasil Levski Airport approximately three hours later.