One accepts that he’s in for the long haul. Photos: Jason BorgDiving equipment belonging to a man returning to the UK caused the evacuation of Malta International Airport after it was mistaken for an explosive device when it was scanned by X-ray equipment.
Security staff were alerted about the possible presence of explosives in a bag belonging to a British citizen yesterday afternoon. The bag had been checked in for a flight bound for Manchester.
The suspicion prompted the airport authorities to order the immediate evacuation of the terminal and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal section of the Armed Forces of Malta was called in.
However, it later transpired it was a false alarm as the diving equipment inside the bag had twice triggered the alarm of an explosive trace detector.
However, the incident caused severe disruption at the airport for about 90 minutes. Hundreds of passengers and visitors were waiting outside the terminal, while traffic outside the airport was brought to a standstill.
Aircraft movements on the runway were also temporarily halted, with hundreds of passengers trapped on board their aircraft soon after landing. These included Emirates, Air Malta, Turkish Airlines and Ryanair.
By 4pm, passengers were allowed back into the terminal but all subsequent flights were subjected to a minimum two-hour delay until late last night.
The security scare may cost Air Malta dear as the airline could end up reimbursing passengers who missed connecting flights.
Speaking to The Sunday Times of Malta shortly after operations at the airport were resumed, an Air Malta spokesman confirmed that they were bound to provide alterative flights and, if needed, overnight accommodation.
However, this would only be determined at a later stage, as it was not immediately clear if any passengers had actually been due to connect.
MIA apologised for the inconvenience but said that security and safety were of paramount importance and such action had to be taken in the circumstances.