{
  "id": 15526370,
  "title": "Bomb threat forces Tel Aviv flight to divert to Bulgaria",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/bomb-threat-forces-tel-aviv-flight-to-divert-to-bulgaria",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-19T00:34:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTE News",
    "slug": "rte-news",
    "url": "https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2026/1019/1595905-telaviv-airplane/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A bomb threat against an Austrian Airlines flight from Tel Aviv to Vienna prompted an emergency landing in Sofia, Bulgaria, according to Bulgarian authorities and the airline. The aircraft, an Airbus A320 registered OE-LZE, reportedly received the threat as it approached Romania, leading to a diversion south towards Bulgaria. Bulgarian transport ministry officials confirmed the diversion and stated that passengers were safely evacuated from the plane after it landed in Sofia. The Bulgarian air force deployed a MiG-29 fighter jet to escort the airliner, following standard procedures. An estimated 51 passengers and six crew members were aboard the flight. Following the safe landing, a thorough security search of the aircraft was conducted. Once complete, the passengers will be rebooked onto alternative flights as soon as possible. Flightradar24 data and ADS-B Exchange reports indicate that the aircraft entered Romanian airspace around 9:10 PM before turning south and heading back towards Bulgaria, where it landed in Sofia. The transport ministry has established a crisis response team and launched an investigation into the incident.",
  "summary": "A bomb threat against an Austrian Airlines flight from Tel Aviv to Vienna forced the plane to divert to Bulgaria, according to Bulgarian authorities and the airline.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 11,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Investing.com",
        "title": "Captain of flydubai plane describes blocking axe blows as co-pilot attacked",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/captain-of-flydubai-plane-describes-blocking-axe-blows-as-co-pilot",
        "published": "2026-10-18T16:48:21.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Captain of flydubai plane describes blocking axe blows as co-pilot attacked",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/captain-of-flydubai-plane-describes-blocking-axe-blows-as-co-pilot-15463719",
        "published": "2026-10-18T17:46:30.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "Captain of flydubai plane describes blocking axe blows as co-pilot attacked",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/captain-of-flydubai-plane-describes-blocking-axe-blows-as-co-pilot-15463109",
        "published": "2026-10-18T18:22:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn",
        "title": "'Was not sure I'll make it out alive': Captain of flydubai flight to Tel Aviv recalls blocking axe blows from co-pilot",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/was-not-sure-ill-make-it-out-alive-captain-of-flydubai-flight-to-tel",
        "published": "2026-10-18T18:30:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Arutz Sheva - Israel National News",
        "title": "Bomb threat forces Austrian Airlines flight from Tel Aviv to Vienna to divert to Sofia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/bomb-threat-forces-austrian-airlines-flight-from-tel-aviv-to-vienna",
        "published": "2026-10-18T19:14:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Sky News",
        "title": "Flight from Tel Aviv to Vienna makes emergency landing after bomb threat",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/flight-from-tel-aviv-to-vienna-makes-emergency-landing-after-bomb",
        "published": "2026-10-18T19:45:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Flight from Tel Aviv to Vienna makes emergency landing in Bulgaria after bomb threat",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/flight-from-tel-aviv-to-vienna-makes-emergency-landing-in-bulgaria",
        "published": "2026-10-18T20:29:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Austrian Airlines flight from Tel Aviv makes emergency landing in Bulgaria after bomb threat",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/austrian-airlines-flight-from-tel-aviv-makes-emergency-landing-in",
        "published": "2026-10-18T22:56:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Japan Times",
        "title": "Captain of Flydubai plane describes blocking axe blows as co-pilot attacked",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/captain-of-flydubai-plane-describes-blocking-axe-blows-as-co-pilot",
        "published": "2026-10-19T00:51:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Austrian Airlines flight from Tel Aviv diverts to Bulgaria's Sofia after 'threat'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/austrian-airlines-flight-from-tel-aviv-diverts-to-bulgarias-sofia",
        "published": "2026-10-19T01:58:06.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}