Air India flight AI-272, en route from Katunayake Airport to Chennai, India, faced a temporary suspension after a black parcel containing two kilograms of gold was discovered in the plane's lavatory. Customs officials at the airport initially assumed the parcel to be a potential bomb, leading to the cancellation of the flight.
The alarming discovery was made during the final inspection of the aircraft on the runway as it was preparing for takeoff at 1:35 p.m. Security personnel found the unclaimed black parcel in the rear lavatory, prompting immediate action.
In response to the perceived security threat, the flight was promptly grounded, passengers were disembarked, and the aircraft was relocated to an isolated area under the supervision of the bomb squad.
An intense examination by the bomb squad revealed that the mysterious parcel was not an explosive device but, rather, a package containing two kilograms of gold. Authorities later handed over the precious cargo to airport Customs officials for further investigation.
Remarkably, no arrests have been made in connection with this incident. The airport resumed normal operations after the clearance from the bomb squad.
The Air India flight, which had faced an unexpected delay, finally departed from Katunayake Airport at 4:43 p.m., proceeding to its destination in Chennai, India.
