Police have opened a criminal case after a bomb threat involving a FlySafair aircraft at King Phalo Airport in KuGompo City on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, was confirmed to be a false alarm.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana confirmed that a search of the aircraft and luggage found no explosives, suspicious objects or hazardous materials.
The incident began when an unidentified caller contacted the airport’s passenger information desk, claiming that a bomb was aboard the aircraft.
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The airport subsequently alerted police, prompting a response involving bomb disposal specialists, K9 explosive detection dogs, firefighters, airport security, emergency medical services and a hostage negotiator.
All passengers and crew members safely disembarked before the search was conducted.
Following the operation, police declared the scene safe and handed it back to airport security.
A criminal case has since been registered under Section 27(1A)(a) of the Explosives Act, Act 26 of 1956.
Investigators are working to trace the caller, whose identity remains unknown.
SAPS warned that making a false bomb threat is a serious criminal offence carrying a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years.
Police have not disclosed further details about the investigation.
The incident involved FlySafair flight FA388, which had travelled from Johannesburg to King Phalo Airport earlier on Wednesday.
