A flight from Israel’s Tel Aviv had to make an emergency landing in Bulgaria after a reported bomb threat.

The Austrian Airlines Airbus A320, which was headed from Israel to Vienna, made the emergency stopover in Sofia after what the airline confirmed was a threat made against the flight.

Flight OS83, carrying 51 passengers and six crew members, landed safely at Sofia Airport (SOF) at 8.42 pm on Sunday, October 18, or 7.42 pm BST, with all aboard evacuated.

Bulgaria’s Ministry of Transport and Communications confirmed the flight crew reported a ‘bomb threat signal’ while on the border with Romania, prompting them to land in the Bulgarian capital around 30 minutes later.

The ministry said a crisis response team has now been set up and the relevant authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

‘According to the procedures, an Air Force fighter took off and accompanied the plane until it landed at the airport in Sofia,’ a spokesperson said.

‘A working headquarters has been formed, and the responsible institutions have started an inspection. Passengers were taken off board the aircraft.’

According to Flightradar24 data, the aircraft, registered OE-LZE, entered Romanian airspace at around 9.10 pm before turning south and heading back towards Bulgaria, where it landed in Sofia.

Data from flight-tracking platform ADS-B Exchange indicates the aircraft was transmitting squawk code 7700 – a signal for a general emergency – at around the same time.

A spokesperson from Austrian Airlines confirmed a ‘threat’ was made against the flight, which ‘necessitated a stopover in Sofia’.

They said: ‘We can confirm that a threat was made against flight OS82 from Tel Aviv to Vienna (TLV to VIE), which necessitated a stopover in Sofia (SOF).

‘The flight landed safely in SOF at 20:42 CEST. The aircraft in question – an Airbus A320 – is now being searched. There were 51 passengers and 6 crew members on board.

‘Once the aircraft has been searched, the passengers will be rebooked onto a prompt alternative flight. The safety of our passengers and crew is always our top priority.’

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At least seven people are feared dead and dozens injured after a massive fire broke out at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta during a live-fire military training exercise on Saturday.

The explosion happened when military training struck a gas line or well, triggering a fire that spread rapidly across the facility. Seven people reportedly lost their lives during the incident, although authorities have yet to confirm the exact death toll.

Defence Minister David McGuinty said emergency teams were responding to the incident alongside local authorities and military personnel. He described the situation as “very, very active and delicate”, adding that he could not recall a similar incident in recent memory.

Prime Minister Mark Carney acknowledged the “serious incident creating a major fire” and expressed solidarity with those affected, saying his “thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected”.

The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon at the military base in eastern Alberta. According to the Municipal District of Wainwright, winds gusting up to 100 kilometres per hour fuelled the flames, which spread beyond the base fences. Local officials alerted the public through online updates at about 5.30pm local time.

Although firefighters have contained the blaze, emergency protocols remain in place, while authorities have urged residents to avoid the area to allow emergency services to operate.

Hospitals also activated emergency procedures to handle casualties. Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton declared a code orange disaster response to prepare for incoming patients.

Dr Warren Thirsk, an emergency department physician at the hospital, warned that the scale of the incident could overwhelm healthcare facilities in Edmonton without coordinated emergency arrangements. He described it as a disaster of a scale expected once every 15 to 25 years.

The incident prompted support from neighbouring communities and provincial governments. Wainwright Mayor Bruce Pugh described it as a “heavy day” for the community, while Alberta Premier Danielle Smith acknowledged the “significant and tragic fire”.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and British Columbia Premier David Eby also offered assistance and dispatched resources to support the response.

It was gathered that Canadian Forces Base Wainwright is a major military training facility used for live-fire exercises. It typically accommodates about 690 military personnel and 300 civilian workers.

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The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced the death of its Ogun State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Oludare Ogunjobi.

It was reports that Ogunjobi died after a brief illness.

The Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Sector Command, Chief Route Commander Afolabi Odunsi, announced his death in a statement issued on Sunday.

The command said the late sector commander’s death was a huge blow to the corps, his colleagues, and road safety stakeholders.

The statement read in part, “The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), RS2.2 Ogun State Sector Command, announces with profound sadness the passing of its Sector Commander, Corps Commander Oludare Ogunjobi, following a brief illness.

“His passing is a great loss to the Corps, his colleagues, and the entire road safety community. He will be remembered for his service, leadership, commitment to road safety administration, and dedication to the mandate of the Federal Road Safety Corps.”

The command noted that while in service, the deceased played a key role in the corps’ drive for safer roads, public enlightenment on road safety, stronger partnership with stakeholders and better compliance with traffic rules.

It described his death as deeply regrettable and condoled with his family, loved ones, colleagues and associates.

The command said it would announce details of the funeral arrangements in due course.

“May God grant his soul eternal rest and give his family, the Corps, and all those affected by his passing the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” the statement added.

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