Bali police investigate hoax bomb threat at Indonesian airport

Bali police are investigating a suspected hoax bomb threat that targeted I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport on the night of August 2. Airport authorities received a threatening message via a messaging application, claiming a woman carrying a bomb intended to hijack a flight.

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No explosives were found during the search, but the investigation is continuing to identify the individual responsible for making the threat.

Following the threat, airport police conducted an immediate security sweep, which found no explosives. "No explosives were found during the search, but the investigation is continuing to identify the individual responsible for making the threat," said Second Inspector I Gede Suka Artana, airport police spokesperson. He assured that all investigative measures are being conducted professionally and in coordination with relevant authorities.

Airport operations have since returned to normal, with all flights and passenger services running as scheduled. Gede Eka Sandi Asmadi, head of communications and legal affairs at the airport, urged the public and airport users not to spread misleading information or make false security threats, as these are criminal offenses under Indonesian law.

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We urge the public and airport users not to make false security threats or spread misleading information that could disrupt airport operations or cause unnecessary alarm.

This is not the first time the airport has been involved in a bomb threat incident. In August 2025, a passenger was detained for claiming there was a bomb on board a flight, and in June 2023, another passenger was removed from an aircraft for a similar false claim. Both previous incidents resulted in no explosives being found.

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Airports are designated as national vital objects under Indonesian law, and any false report or misleading information concerning a security threat is a criminal offence punishable by law.