(Posted 23rd October 2026)
Police in South Africa are hunting for the person responsible for a false bomb threat involving a commercial aircraft at King Phalo Airport in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that the threat was a false alarm after a thorough investigation.
The KuGompo Explosives Unit responded after an anonymous caller allegedly contacted the airport’s passenger information desk, claiming that a bomb had been placed on an aircraft.
The call, made from an unknown number, prompted airport officials to alert police.
Following a briefing by airport security, Bomb Disposal Unit members activated a multidisciplinary response ahead of the aircraft landing.
As a precaution, all passengers, pilots and cabin crew were disembarked while security personnel searched the aircraft and luggage.
No explosives, explosive devices, suspicious objects or hazardous materials were found. The aircraft was declared safe and handed back to airport security.
A criminal case has been opened. The incident has been registered as a contravention of Section 27(1A)(a) of the Explosives Act 26 of 1956.
Police have warned that making a false bomb threat is a serious criminal offence that can carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years.
“I wish to assure all travellers and users of our ACSA (Airport Company of South Africa) airports that the situation was successfully handled by all relevant authorities and that all passengers and crew are safe,” ACSA Acting CEO Charles Shilowa said in a statement.
ACSA operational teams, the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) Fire Chief, the bomb squad, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other relevant authorities immediately coordinated the security response through the Emergency Control Centre (ECC).
“By the time the aircraft landed, all emergency protocols had been activated. The necessary personnel, emergency vehicles and bomb squad were positioned in the designated isolation area, away from the terminal, to receive the aircraft and conduct the required security checks.
At 09:38, the pilot authorised the 184 passengers to disembark. A comprehensive explosives-detection sweep was conducted in accordance with all applicable aviation procedures, airport safety requirements and SAPS protocols,” ACSA explained.
