Unproven Bomb Threats, Saudi Airlines Passenger Hajj Pilgrims Depart To Jakarta This Morning

Head of Public Relations of the North Sumatra Police, Kombes Ferry Walintukan. BETWEEN/M. Sahbainy Nasution.

The North Sumatra Regional Police (Polda) continue to provide security at hotels and departures for Saudia Airlines passengers who made an emergency landing at Kualanamu Airport, Deli Serdang. The pilgrims who are passengers will depart this morning.

"We will continue to provide security until departure tomorrow (18/6) at 08.00 WIB," said Head of Public Relations of the North Sumatra Police, Kombes Ferry Walintukan, as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, June 17.

Ferry said the security was carried out by the airport, personnel from the North Sumatra Police, the Deli Serdang City Resort Police (Polresta) and others, both at the Hajj pilgrims' hotel where they stay and until departure.

The police stated that cargo items were declared safe from suspicious objects.

Previously, North Sumatra Police Chief Inspector General Whisnu Hermawan Februanto said Saudia Airlines aircraft that made an emergency landing related to the alleged threat of bombs at Kualanamu Airport were declared safe.

"Temporary results from checking activities by the North Sumatra Police Brimob Jibom, Bukit Barisan I Military Command and Paskhas are currently declared clear," said Whisnu.

The Regional Police Chief said that during the joint inspection, no suspicious items were found either in the cabin or in the goods transported on the plane.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (Ditjen Hubud) of the Ministry of Transportation stated that the Saudia Airlines flight number SV-5726, which made an emergency landing at Kualanamu Airport, contained 442 hajjes.

The Director General of Civil Aviation at the Ministry of Transportation Lukman F Faisa said that his party received a report from PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia regarding the threat of a bomb sent by an unknown person via electronic mail (email) at 07.30 WIB.

The email contained threats from an unknown person who was about to blow up a plane belonging to Saudia Airlines SV 5276 on the Jeddah - Jakarta route (Soekarno Hatta Airport) carrying 442 pilgrims of 12 JKS.