"Security Incident" at Miami International Airport forces evacuations
MIAMI -- Miami International Airport was reopened just after 8 p.m. following a "security incident" that shut down a large section of the airport, reported CBS affiliate WPEC.
Nearly 50 flights are delayed. Nine flights were diverted. Gates assigned for deplaning as available, airport officials said, WPEC reported.
The FBI has taken over the investigation regarding the security incident, CBS Miami reported.
In statement, the FBI told CBS News that just before 5 p.m. a passenger went through security at the airport. It was later determined that items in his carry-on bag looked suspicious. The passenger was eventually located, questioned and his bag was searched. The items in question were deemed safe and non-hazardous.
There is no safety issue or threat related to the incident, the FBI said. The passenger was cooperative and faces no charges.
By 7:10 p.m., airport officials said some closed areas were opening back up. However, they added that operations were still being impacted. As part of the security incident, police began searching flights.
WPEC reported that armed police were photographed walking up and down the aisles of the planes on the tarmac, with passengers holding their hands behind their heads.
One witness told CBS Miami they saw someone being taken off a plane and then that plane being evacuated.
"They came in and told everyone to get out. The airport was being evacuated," said passenger Lisa Golden to CBS Miami.
Some passengers were locked in at a T.G.I. Friday's restaurant when law enforcement descended on the concourse, CBS Miami reported.
The flight boards said that flights were cancelled, but airport officials said they did not think that was the case.
"Long lines. My flight's probably delayed. That's if we can even get on a flight," said traveler Annabelle Barbeite to CBS Miami. "Big headache."
After announcing all D gates were cleared and all checkpoints and roadways opened, MIA tweeted out that police had cleared the incident as operations slowly return to normal.
The Miami-Dade Police Department told CBS Miami that the FBI has taken over the investigation.