A man sparked panic at Barcelona-El Prat airport on Monday evening by shouting what authorities described as 'jihadist slogans' and throwing a backpack to the ground. The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. local time in Terminal 2, sending holidaymakers running through the terminal to escape.
Passengers fled as man shouted and threw bag
Witnesses reported that the man, whose identity has not been released, began shouting loudly and then hurled his backpack onto the floor. Passengers, fearing an attack, fled the area. At least two people required medical treatment for panic attacks following the scare, according to sources at the scene.
Airport security and police responded swiftly, detaining the man with the assistance of an airport worker. The Civil Guard's elite bomb disposal unit, known as TEDAX, was placed on standby to inspect the backpack for explosives. However, sources confirmed that the unit was ultimately not deployed after preliminary checks suggested no explosive threat.
Normality restored after bomb squad alert
Following the man's arrest, authorities gradually restored normal operations at the terminal. The backpack was examined and deemed safe. The motive behind the man's actions remains under investigation. Police have not disclosed whether the individual has any known links to extremist groups.
The incident caused temporary disruption but did not lead to flight cancellations or major delays. Barcelona-El Prat is one of Spain's busiest airports, handling millions of passengers annually. This event comes amid heightened security awareness across European transport hubs.
