Bomb scare at one of South Africa’s major airports
South African police have launched an investigation into a bomb threat against a FlySafair aircraft at King Phalo Airport in KuGompo City (formerly East London) on Wednesday, 21 October 2026.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that the aircraft landed safely following a report from an anonymous caller who allegedly claimed there was a bomb on board.
“All 184 passengers on board have safely disembarked,” SAPS said. The aircraft is being held while authorities carry out security procedures and investigate the threat.
A multidisciplinary response team has been deployed to the airport, including the SAPS Bomb Disposal Unit, K9 explosive-detection dogs, hostage negotiators, disaster management officials, airport security personnel, and emergency medical services.
According to SAPS, the call was made from a private number, and investigators are working to identify and trace the person who made the threat.
“The scene is being managed by the relevant authorities, and investigations into the origin of the threat are ongoing,” the police service said.
The authorities have not provided further details about the circumstances surrounding the threat or whether any suspicious items have been found on the aircraft.
SAPS said the situation remained under the control of the relevant agencies, with security teams following established procedures in response to the reported threat.
The incident prompted a coordinated response involving several emergency and security services to ensure the safety of passengers and others at the airport.
The police have urged members of the public to refrain from spreading unverified information while the investigation continues.
“The public is advised not to speculate and to allow security agencies to conduct their work without interference,” SAPS said.
The police service added that further updates would be provided as more information became available. The investigation into the anonymous call remains ongoing.
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