CHRISTCHURCH Airport has been evacuated after a suspected explosive device was found inside a passenger’s bag.
The Aviation Security Service has said that “item of interest” was found by staff while they were screening baggage at 8am in New Zealand.
GettyTraffic control tower at Christchurch Airport[/caption]
Police were called and the area was soon isolated – with hundreds of holidaymakers evacuated from the building.
The New Zealand bomb disposal unit soon arrived onto the scene and dozens of flights have now been cancelled.
Security staff are currently using sniffer dogs to “comb” the airport.
ance told the Herald he was an affected traveller.
One traveller told The New Zealand Herald: “We were upstairs in the Koru Lounge and there was an announcement to say evacuate the building immediately. The sirens went off.
“We were waiting for a flight. It was meant to go at 9.10am but I doubt it. It could be a couple of hours.”
A police spokesperson said: “An item of interest has been located at Christchurch Airport.
“Police were made aware around 8am. The domestic terminal is in the process of being evacuated as a precaution.”
A spokesperson for Christchurch Airport wrote on Twitter: “Our terminal is currently evacuated while Aviation Security and Police deal with an incident.
“We will provide updated details when possible.”
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