The Airbus A320, operating as flight OS82, was diverted to Sofia after the threat was reported near the Romanian border, according to Bulgaria's Ministry of Transport and Communications. Flight-tracking data cited by Sky News showed that the aircraft landed at around 9.25pm UTC.
The ministry said initial information indicated that six crew members and 51 passengers were on board. All passengers were evacuated after the aircraft landed at Sofia airport.
"During the flight, on the border with Romania, the crew reported a bomb threat signal and decided to land in Sofia extraordinarily," the ministry said.
A Bulgarian Air Force fighter jet took off and escorted the aircraft until it landed at Sofia airport, the ministry added. A crisis management headquarters was established, and the relevant authorities began inspecting the plane.
According to Israel's Ynet, passengers said the emergency was triggered by an anonymous report claiming that a bomb was on board the aircraft.
The Times of Israel also reported that security concerns emerged after a suspicious object was allegedly spotted on the aircraft's deck. The plane reportedly transmitted an emergency signal.
The aircraft was carrying a delegation of young people who were scheduled to speak at the United Nations, according to The Times of Israel. However, the reports did not immediately provide further details about the alleged threat or the outcome of the security inspection.
The emergency landing comes less than three weeks after a security scare involving a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv. In that incident, the captain and several Israeli passengers reportedly thwarted an alleged attempt by the co-pilot to crash the aircraft.
The Austrian Airlines incident prompted an immediate security response in Bulgaria, with passengers evacuated and authorities inspecting the aircraft following the reported bomb threat. Further details about the investigation and the outcome of the inspection were not immediately available.
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