Diving equipment belonging to a man who was returning home after a holiday in Malta caused chaos at Malta International Airport this afternoon when it was repeatedly read as explosive on the X-Ray machines.
The equipment, which belonged to a British citizen, was bound for Manchester.
No chances were taken and the airport was evacuated while passengers who had just arrived were left on their aircraft. These included Emirates, Air Malta, Turkish Airlines and Ryanair.
The arrivals section has now being reopened and passengers have disembarked but an airport spokeswoman said it will be some time before the airport is fully operational.
Police and army personnel searched the terminal building.
MIA STATEMENT
In a statement of Facebook, MIA said:
"Today's evacuation was triggered after airport security flagged a checked-in baggage containing diving equipment that was found to have traces of a suspicious substance.
"The bomb disposal unit have now cleared the item in question and Malta International Airport will be resuming operations shortly. Once again we apologise for any inconvenience caused. Safety and security demand that such actions are taken in these circumstances."
In another statement later, the airport said operations were now back to normal but departing passengers should visit www.maltairport.com for their flight details.
CEO Markus Klaushofer said: “We apologise for the inconvenience but safety and security demand that such actions are taken in these circumstances.
"Malta International Airport thanks the security team for flagging the item in question, all state authorities and airport stakeholders for their full cooperation and airport users for their patience and understanding.
"Despite the incident occurring at a busy period for the airport, operations were able to resume as early as possible thanks to everyone’s collaboration.”
MINISTER'S STATEMENT
Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis this evening expressed his satisfaction at how the situation at MIA was controlled.
He said ministry officials were continuously on site and followed the operation closely.
The minister thanked MIA employees, the forces of law and order including the police, the army and the Civil Protection Department, and all who were involved in the operation.