Chaos ensued at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, in Florida, on Sunday evening when a bomb threat prompted the evacuation of Terminal 1, impacting numerous travellers and disrupting flights.
Fort Lauderdale Airport resumes operations after bomb scare
The incident, which began unfolding just before 17:30 EST, led to heightened tensions and a significant law enforcement response.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO), deputies rushed to the airport following a report of a man at a checkpoint referencing a bomb.
This led to immediate action, with the upper level of the terminal being evacuated as a precaution. The BSO Bomb Squad was called in to investigate the serious threat.
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Travellers found themselves caught in a standstill, with traffic outside the airport turning into a bumper-to-bumper gridlock. The tension was palpable among passengers worried about missing their flights.
“We were sitting there in the Uber for about an hour,” one traveller expressed.
The situation also led to the temporary closure of the Departures roadway, further complicating travel plans for those at the airport. Despite this, many travellers remained hopeful that flight schedules would adjust to accommodate the delay.
“I’m sure the flights will adjust, right? To allow us to board, so there’s no stress. I’d rather us be safe,” said another traveller.
Terminal 1, which serves a range of airlines including United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Allegiant Air, Alaska Airlines, Copa Airlines, and Bahamasair, saw several flights delayed due to the incident.
The sense of disruption was widespread, with the airport’s usual hustle and bustle replaced by a tense atmosphere of uncertainty.
The BSO confirmed that a man was detained for questioning related to the bomb threat.
This led to an investigation that lasted approximately three hours before authorities gave the all-clear. The airport then resumed normal operations around 20:30 EST, much to the relief of passengers and staff alike.
