Traffic chaos in Melbourne, flight delays after man detained with ‘suspicious item’
Avalon Airport was quarantined and flights were postponed following a bomb threat at around 06:00 on Thursday morning.
“The domestic terminal at Melbourne Avalon Airport was evacuated this morning after a suspicious item was detected during the screening process,” an airport spokesperson said. “Victoria Police attended and one person was detained.
“The matter is currently being handled by the police and any further inquiries should be directed to Victoria Police.”
A police spokesman said officers were carrying out security checks at the airport.
“The building was evacuated and the area cordoned off as a precaution while the investigation continues,” officials said.
Nine News reported that the police bomb squad was at the airport.
Witness David told 3AW there was a “total shutdown” at the airport on the outskirts of Geelong.
“People are waiting in line for kilometers. They have closed the entrance gate where the roundabout is. We have been here for at least an hour, almost.”
David, who traveled to Brisbane, said people were walking out of the airport. “The whole area is closed… they blocked us but no one is telling us anything.”
Another caller said passengers pushing luggage carts spilled from the building onto Avalon Road near the Princes Highway.
Witness Lisa told the ABC they arrived at the airport around 6.50am to fly to Brisbane to visit family.
“Nobody knew what happened… there was no information at the time,” he said.
“We knew something was pretty important, lots of police cars were entering the airport. A plane has just landed from Bali. Passengers are leaving on foot.
“There’s still some turmoil here.”
Jetstar texted passengers to confirm the airport was closed due to a security incident, according to a screenshot shared on Instagram by 3AW radio presenter Jacqui Felgate.
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Angus Delaney is a reporter for The Age. Email him at angus.delaney@theage.com.au or contact him securely on Signal at angusdelaney.31.Connect via email.
