A laser hair removal device sparked a bomb scare at an Australian airport after being flagged as a suspicious item during security screening. Avalon Airport, located 34 miles southwest of Melbourne, was placed on lockdown following reports of a suspicious package at airport security on Thursday morning. Bomb disposal robots were deployed into the terminal by Victoria Police to investigate a bag on a conveyor belt shortly after 6am.
Police Identify Suspicious Items
Victoria Police acting inspector Nick Uebergang identified the suspicious items as an “electrical laser hair removal device and a hot chocolate container” to local reporters. The airport was partially evacuated, with an area cordoned off as a precaution for around four hours while police conducted their investigation.
Detention and Delays
A man from Melbourne was temporarily detained and later released with no charges. Uebergang added: “The person who had the bag wasn't too cooperative with us to start off with.” He said this made “things a little bit difficult.” He further noted, “They probably could have averted things, and we could have got out of here a little bit quicker.” Two flights to Sydney were cancelled, with several other journeys delayed after the airport’s domestic terminal was closed.
Passenger Reactions
One traveller told ABC Radio Melbourne: “We arrived at the airport around 7am and they had just put up the closure. No one sort of knew what was going on. We knew something was fairly significant because there were a lot of police cars and other sorts of cars going into the airport.”
Airport Statement
An Avalon Airport spokesperson said: “Today's response demonstrates the vigilance of the screening and security processes, with precautionary measures taken immediately to ensure the safety of passengers, staff and the broader community, which will always remain our highest priority.”
