Manchester Airport’s Terminal 2 has been evacuated following the discovery of a suspect and unattended bag.
Update: A bomb squad was dispatched to the area to investigation and the bag was later cleared as a posing no threat and the terminal reopened
A spokesman for Manchester Airport confirmed at 7.50pm Thursday evening that an “unattended bag” had been spotted outside the terminal.
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Due to an unattended bag being found outside terminal 2, the area has been cordoned off as a precaution, while an investigation takes place
— Manchester Airport (@manairport) August 18, 2016
The terminal has been evacuated and cordoned off as a precaution with airport officials asking people to leave the area and keep away from windows and glass constructions.
Unconfirmed reports on social media say that the ‘bomb squad’ has been sent to the scene.
Possible bomb at Manchester airport evacuation @BBCNews @SkyNewsBreak pic.twitter.com/zINXl5gGfF
— tommy j oxtoby (@TommyjOx) August 18, 2016
@manairport people walking along the dual carriageway pic.twitter.com/RrPLePdNgH
— Khawer Ishtiaq (@kishtiaq) August 18, 2016
Some reports are saying that some kind of device had been found and it had ‘tested positive twice’
@manairport Just been told by a member of staff that a package has tested positive for a device twice at #T2 – departures evacuated
— Khawer Ishtiaq (@kishtiaq) August 18, 2016
Manchester evening news reports:
Khawer Ishtiaq, who is currently at the airport to pick up his brother, said he has not been allowed to enter the building since arriving around an hour ago.
He said he saw police officers ‘sealing off’ the roundabout on the approach to Terminal 2 when he drove up towards the airport at around 6.45pm.
He said:
I’m on the roof of the multi-storey car park opposite the departure lounge. We’ve been told to wait here.
When I came to pick up my brother the airport staff wouldn’t let anyone through into the arrivals lounge.
The people leaving for flights have not been allowed to leave the departure lounge either.I tried to walk towards my car and a guy from the airport said to get away from the glass. He said they had found some kind of device and it’s tested positive twice.
They are blocking off the entrances but there doesn’t seem to be many police around. About 50 people are stood around with luggage but nobody seems to be panicking and there’s not really any tension in the air.
I can see that there are planes still taking off too.”
Niamh Harris
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