A bomb scare caused by a bottle of contact lens fluid saw Manchester Airport’s busiest terminal evacuated for four hours during the hectic Easter break yesterday.
A baggage scanner flagged up the solution as a suspicious image at Terminal 1after it was packed alongside a mobile phone – prompting security officials to sound the alarm.
The busy Easter weekend ground to a halt between 8.15am and 12.15am, as around 10 flights were delayed until bomb disposal experts declared the package safe.
An airport spokesman said: “While the disruption was not welcome on a busy Easter weekend, we will never take a risk with passenger safety.
“Working closely with the police, Terminal 1 was evacuated and specialist officers were able to conduct further investigations.
“We thank passengers for their patience while our staff were working hard to return the operation to its normal schedule.”
Greater Manchester Police confirmed to MM that they were informed a suspicious package had been found by security staff at Manchester Airport at 8.15am yesterday.
A GMP spokesman said: “As a precaution, the Explosive Ordinance Disposal team (EOD) were called and a temporary cordon set up within Terminal One which caused some disruption to passengers using that Terminal.
“At about midday, the EOD confirmed it was not a viable explosive device, that there was no threat to any passengers and the Terminal was reopened.”
No other areas of the airport were affected by the scare.
Picture courtesy of Newbie Runner, with thanks.
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