An Austrian Airlines flight traveling from Tel Aviv to Vienna was forced to make an emergency landing in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Sunday evening following a bomb threat, officials confirmed. The Airbus A320, operating flight OS82, carried 51 passengers and six crew members at the time of the incident.

The flight departed from Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv at approximately 6:40 p.m. local time. Shortly after entering Romanian airspace, the aircraft abruptly changed course and was diverted to Sofia International Airport. Bulgarian state television reported that a crew member received a bomb threat, leading to the emergency landing. The plane was escorted by a Bulgarian Air Force fighter jet as it approached Sofia.

Flight-tracking data indicated the aircraft transmitted a squawk code 7700, signaling a general emergency, around the time of the diversion. The plane landed safely in Sofia at roughly 8:42 p.m. local time, and security teams conducted thorough inspections of the aircraft. A suspicious object was reportedly found on the flight deck, prompting heightened security measures.

Officials disclosed that the bomb threat originated from an anonymous Austrian national who was not aboard the flight. The passengers included a delegation of young individuals who were scheduled to speak at the United Nations.

Austrian Airlines confirmed the emergency landing and stated that affected passengers would be rebooked on alternative flights. The airline emphasized the importance of safety and continued coordination with security authorities during the investigation.

The incident occurred amid increased concerns about aviation security in the region, less than a month after a separate event in which a Flydubai co-pilot attempted a hijacking and crash on a flight to Tel Aviv. That earlier incident ended without casualties after passengers intervened, but it has contributed to heightened vigilance in air travel to and from Israel.

Authorities in Bulgaria and Austria are continuing to investigate the threat and the origin of the suspicious object found on board. At this time, no injuries or damages have been reported related to the emergency landing.