Miami airport terminal reopened after false bomb scare

A terminal at Miami International Airport was evacuated briefly today as US authorities checked on a possible explosive device.

Transportation Security Administration spokesman Christopher White said a watch and other items in a box appeared to be part of an explosive device, but police determined they were harmless.

The box was spotted in an X-ray machine scanning checked luggage near a United Airlines ticket counter.

Hundreds of passengers had milled around outside the terminal with their luggage, and police officers blocked sliding doors until given the all-clear.

Airport spokesman Marc Henderson said the evacuation delayed six flights. About 2,000 passengers were affected.