PANICKED passengers were forced to abandoned all their belongings are flee in terror after an airline staff yelled “evacuate” and then sounded the alarm.
The incident at Newark Liberty International Airport in New York sparked complete chaos as hundreds of travellers ran from what they thought was a terror incident.
3
The “insane situation” began after an Alaska Airlines employee yelled “evacuate” in the crowded airport and then sounded an alarm across Terminal A, which led passengers to believe there was an active shooter or a bomb threat.
Sports writer David Lombardi posted a video of the incident on Twitter.
He said: “Insane situation here at Newark Airport. They just told us all to evacuate and whole terminal scattered. Bags left behind. I initially thought it was an active shooter. Maybe a bomb threat. Confusion and chaos”
David later added: “Based on what I’ve gathered, an Alaska Airlines employee saw 2 men she deemed suspicious and made a scene about it.
3
3
“Her fellow coworkers didn’t deem the men suspicious and the employee began to have a breakdown. She yelled “Evacuate!” at that point and the chaos ensued.”
Around 200 passengers reportedly scattered onto the airport’s tarmac, with many leaving their bags behind.
A spokesperson for Port Authority did not immediately respond to Fox News’ request for comment, but told FOX5 it was unclear why the flight attendant attempted to question the two men, who both had tickets.
The two men were reportedly questioned by authorities and determined to be “minding their own business,” FOX5 reports.
Newark airport tweeted about an hour after the evacuation that the situation was under control and there was “no threat in the Terminal A-3.”
Passengers were all re-screened as a precaution, creating delays.
The flight attendant was reportedly detained and questioned for causing the panic but it’s believed that she will not be facing charges.
Alaska Airlines did not immediately respond to Fox News’ request for comment.
Earlier this year, a JetBlue flight had to be evacuated after a prankster sent a snap of a suicide vest to every iPhone on board.
Sun Online Travel has contacted Alaska Airlines for additional comment.
A version of this article was originally published by Fox News and was reproduced with permission.
