Air terminal evacuated after 'chemical incident'

Part of a Manchester airport terminal was evacuated and a chemical incident was declared today after a man attempted to carry an unidentified white powder onto a plane.

The substance was discovered in a bag that the Asian man, believed to be aged in his 20s, was planning to take on a flight from Manchester to London Heathrow.

The check-in and security screening areas at the airport’s Terminal 3 were evacuated as a precaution. The rest of the airport remains open.

Police said the man has not been arrested and is currently helping with inquiries while tests are conducted on the powder.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: “Shortly before 12.55pm police at Manchester Airport were called by security staff from the check-in desk at Terminal 3, who had discovered a non-identified white powder in a bag which a man was attempting to carry on to a plane.

“Officers attended along with the fire service and they declared it a chemical incident. Tests are currently on-going to establish what the powder is.

“The check-in desk at Terminal 3 has been cordoned off and a man in his 20s is helping police with their inquiries at the airport.”

Flights departing Terminal 3 were facing delays but arrivals and those leaving other terminals were not affected, the airport said.

The passenger was trying to board flight BD589 to Heathrow, which was due to depart at 1.55pm.

It is understood he told airport staff that he was carrying a “freeze-dried compound” on behalf of a friend.

Superintendent Leor Giladi said: "This investigation is at a very early stage. We have recovered an unidentified white powder, so we have taken the precaution of cordoning off the check-in desk at the terminal.

“However, I would like to stress that there is no imminent danger to anyone at the airport and there have been no reports of any injuries as a result of this substance being discovered.

“Tests are being carried out to establish what this substance is and it is right that we take all the necessary precautions. I would not want to speculate about what we have found until those tests have been carried out.

“But I would again stress that there is no cause for anyone to be alarmed and the substance has been made secure.”