FORT LAUDERDALE-HOLLYWOOD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, FLA. (WSVN) - Authorities have given the all clear at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport after a bomb threat led to the evacuation of the upper level of Terminal 1.
Broward Sheriff’s Office Airport District deputies responded to the terminal, located at 50 Terminal Drive, just before 5:30 p.m., Sunday.
According to investigators, there was a man with a bag at a checkpoint and made some sort of reference about a bomb.
“I need terminal deputies. I have a bag over here, and I have somebody in custody,” an official said in radio transmissions.
While investigating the incident, deputies detained a man for questioning.
The upper level of the terminal was evacuated as a precaution, as the BSO Bomb Squad investigated.
The evacuation led to gridlock outside the airport. Cameras showed bumper-to-bumper traffic at the entrance to FLL and on eastbound Interstate 595.
Inside the airport, passengers expressed concern as to whether or not they would be able to make their flights.
“We were sitting there in the Uber for about an hour,” said a traveler. “It’s very frustrating, especially because there’s no information that’s being given to us. We don’t know what’s happening, and we just know that there’s a parking lot, this traffic.”
“I’m sure the flights will adjust, right? To allow us to board, so there’s no stress. I’d rather us be safe,” said another traveler.
Nevertheless, the departures monitors showed several delayed flights.
Deputies gave the all clear about three hours after they responded.
“We live in a crazy world,” said a traveler.
FLL officials said the entrance to the Departures roadway was temporarily closed due to the ongoing investigation, but the airport has since resumed normal operations.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.