A hoax bomb threat on a Varanasi-bound IndiGo flight at Delhi airport triggered panic on Tuesday morning, prompting authorities to evacuate all the
crew members and 176 passengers onboard through emergency exits.

A Delhi police officer said it was a hoax call as no suspicious item was found after a thorough inspection.

“The aircraft was immediately taken to the isolation bay for further necessary action and a quick response team was deployed which found no suspicious items,” said the officer.

Sources said the flight with 176 passengers onboard was scheduled to take off from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport around 5am but was stopped on the runway minutes before departure after the pilot found a tissue paper with the message “bomb blast @30 minutes” written on it inside the aircraft’s lavatory.

IndiGo also released an official statement saying all necessary protocols were followed after receiving the threat and the aircraft was taken to a remote bay as per guidelines by airport security agencies. The airline said an alternative aircraft was arranged for passengers from Delhi to Varanasi.

“The passengers were provided with refreshments and were boarded. The flight departed for Varanasi at 11.10am. We regret the inconvenience caused to the passengers,” the airline said.