An Indian airliner was today forced to make an emergency landing in Malaysia after a suspicious package found in a toilet triggered a bomb scare though it later turned out to contain three gold bars.
The IndiGo flight from Singapore to Chennai carrying 145 people was diverted to Kuala Lumpur after a crew member found the package.
However, a fire and rescue team inspected the package and found it contained just three gold bars weighing less than 1 kg, The Star reported.
Selangor Fire and Rescue operations official Mohd Sani Harul said the airline made the decision to land due to safety concerns. He said the crew suspected the package contained chemicals.
On landing, the passengers were evacuated while a team of fire and rescue officers dressed in hazmat suits went in to inspect the toilet.
"It was not chemicals. It was bars of gold stashed inside paper wrappings. It was a very weird find. We don't know where it came from or who brought it on board. Police are questioning the passengers now," Harul said.
Later, the airliner resumed its flight to India.
