Argentine footballer arrested following bomb threat on flight
An Argentine professional footballer was led off a plane in handcuffs on Saturday after allegedly yelling “bomb” moments before takeoff, causing widespread disruption at a north-western Argentine airport, reports BritPanorama.
Jesús David Emiliano Endrizzi, a 32-year-old defender for second division club Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy, was detained following the incident aboard Flybondi flight FO5181. The flight was scheduled to depart from Gobernador Horacio Guzman International Airport at 1.25pm local time.
Endrizzi was travelling with his squad to Buenos Aires ahead of their Primera Nacional fixture against Agropecuario. Video footage captured stunned passengers watching as the player was removed from the aircraft, with one witness claiming he had told fellow travellers “they were all going to explode”.
Security protocols were immediately triggered following the alleged threat, with the Airport Security Police taking charge of the situation. All passengers were required to leave the aircraft so that specialist explosives officers could conduct a comprehensive search of the plane and the surrounding facilities. The inspection ultimately found no suspicious devices on board.
However, the incident forced a temporary halt to airport operations, creating significant disruption for travellers and throwing the football club’s match-day logistics into disarray. One furious passenger who shared video of the arrest online asked if anyone could identify “this idiot”, adding: “He’s just ruined the weekend for loads of families.” The chaos caused by the alleged threat resulted in delays and cancellations affecting more than 1,200 passengers throughout the day’s operations.
Flybondi confirmed this was the second such incident the airline had experienced within a 48-hour period. In a statement, the carrier said: “As a result of this passenger’s irresponsibility, the day’s air operations were affected, with delays and cancellations impacting more than 1,200 passengers.” The airline indicated it was weighing up legal proceedings against those responsible for the disruption.
Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy confirmed it was working with investigators while club president Walter Morales acknowledged the defender’s future at the institution was under review. Speaking in a radio interview, Morales said: “It’s something we’re evaluating but I can’t confirm anything at the moment. The player is detained and the flight was rescheduled.”
When asked whether the incident might have been an ill-judged attempt at humour, the president was unequivocal: “The context the world is experiencing today does not allow for this type of jokes.” Morales emphasised the club was seeking to protect its reputation, noting: “He is a player who was in working hours and representing a very important institution.”
As the story unfolds, it draws attention to the precarious line between humour and responsibility, especially in a world where such disruptions can carry serious repercussions. This incident underscores how the actions of one individual can ripple through the lives of many, leaving a sizeable shadow over what should have been a straightforward journey.
