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Twin Bomb Threats Force Emergency Actions on Indian Airlines Across the Globe
Indian airliners were hit by twin bomb threats on opposite sides of the globe on Tuesday, resulting in an emergency landing in Canada’s Arctic and the scrambling of fighter jets in Asia. These incidents are part of a recent surge of similar hoax scares targeting Indian airlines, prompting investigations by authorities in India and abroad.
The first incident occurred when Air India flight AI 127, traveling from New Delhi to Chicago, was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit, Canada’s northernmost city. According to Canadian police, all 211 passengers and crew were safely evacuated to the airport. The airline said the flight had been diverted as a “precautionary measure” following a security threat posted online.
Air India later confirmed that the Canadian Air Force had arranged for the transfer of passengers from Iqaluit to their final destination in Chicago. The airline, in a statement, noted that Indian carriers have faced a series of threats in recent days, all of which have turned out to be hoaxes.
In a separate but simultaneous incident, two Singapore Air Force F-15 fighter jets were scrambled to escort an Air India Express flight from Madurai to Singapore. The plane, flight AXB684, was diverted to Changi Airport after the airline received an email claiming there was a bomb on board. Singapore’s Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen said on social media that the country’s air defense systems were activated, and the plane was safely handed over to airport police upon landing.
Several other Indian flights have also been affected by bomb hoaxes. On Monday, an Air India flight from Mumbai to New York was diverted to New Delhi after a similar bomb threat. Two IndiGo flights, one bound for Oman and another for Saudi Arabia, were delayed due to bomb warnings, while a SpiceJet flight from Darbhanga to Mumbai received a threat on Tuesday but was cleared for further operations after a security check.
Although authorities have not determined whether the threats are connected, Air India has emphasized that it takes all such threats seriously. “As a responsible airline operator, all threats are taken seriously,” the airline said, adding that it is working with authorities to hold those responsible accountable.
India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA) is reportedly holding meetings to address the situation, as the country’s airlines face mounting disruptions.
The bomb threats come amid rising diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, though there is no direct evidence linking the incidents to the current political climate. Canada recently expelled several Indian diplomats, accusing India of involvement in acts of violence against Sikh separatists, a claim India has vehemently denied. While the current threats have no confirmed connection to these tensions, they evoke memories of the tragic 1985 bombing of Air India flight 182 by Sikh extremists, the worst terrorist attack in Canadian history.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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