An Air India plane had to make an emergency landing in Canada after a “security threat” was posted online.
The airline said the flight, bound for Chicago, landed in the city of Iqaluit where the passengers were taken off and “re-screened”.
A statement posted online said it had been “subject to a number of threats in recent days” all of which had proved to be hoaxes.
#ImportantUpdate pic.twitter.com/mvDm5mGLzg
— Air India (@airindia) October 15, 2024
The emergency landing comes less than a day after Canada and India’s row over the murder of a Sikh seperatist deepened.
Canada expelled six Indian diplomats including the high commissioner on Monday, linking them to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
India retaliated by ordering the expulsion of six high-ranking Canadian diplomats including the acting high commissioner and said it had withdrawn its envoy from Canada.
The diplomatic row represents a major deterioration of relations between the two Commonwealth countries. Ties have been frayed since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said last year he had evidence linking Indian agents to the assassination of the Sikh leader on Canadian territory.
The government now has "clear and compelling evidence that agents of the government of India have engaged in and continue to engage in activities that pose a significant threat to public safety," Trudeau said at a news conference.
India has long denied Trudeau's accusations. On Monday, it dismissed Canada's move on the inquiry and accused Trudeau of pursuing a "political agenda."
