By Ross Ibbetson and James Gordon For Dailymail.com
23:56 17 Dec 2023, updated 01:00 18 Dec 2023
- Fort Lauderdale Airport was evacuated on Sunday night in response to a ‘security-related incident’
- The upper level of Terminal 1 was evacuated while the airport’s departures entrance was temporarily closed in an abundance of caution
- One online commentator reported that a suspect had been observed passing through the Clear Secure security line ‘with something he should not have had’
Fort Lauderdale Airport has been evacuated over a ‘security-related incident’.
The airport posted a statement online early on Sunday evening.
‘Due to a developing security-related incident, law enforcement has evacuated the upper level of Terminal 1 and temporarily closed Fort Lauderdale’s Departures entrance in an abundance of caution until further notice.’
Airport security and police have are advising people to avoid the terminal lobby while law enforcement deal with the issue.
One online commenter stated that a suspect had been passing through the Clear Secure security line ‘with something he should not have had.’
Just after 5:30pm, deputies as well as the BSO bomb squad were responded to the terminal to investigate the incident. They detained a man for questioning.
Dozens of flights out of FLL appear to be delayed, according to the airport’s flight tracker. Terminal 1’s airlines include United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Allegiant Air, Alaska Airlines, Copa Airlines and Bahamasair.
Passengers affected by the evacuation were unhappy at the lack of communication by airport authorities.
‘As someone evacuated over an hour ago, an UPDATE is deserved,’ wrote Lauren Picarde.
‘Been waiting 1.5 hours with a baby to get a taxi/uber/lyft,’ wrote one frustrated user.
‘The lack of communication with stranded passengers is unacceptable,’ wrote RCinHP.
Traffic around the airport including the I-595 freeway were at a standstill as a result of the sudden closure.
