The Jacksonville International Airport on Tuesday evening was evacuated over suspicious packages, and at two men were arrested, according to reports. There were also reports of a bomb threat.
Firstcoastnews.com reported at around 6:25 p.m. that the airport was being evacuated. The Florida Times-Union, citing witnesses, said that at least two men were seen handcuffed in separate spots. A police source said that authorities confronted a man who claimed to have a bomb.
It is unclear when the airport will be opened again. Gates were closed and flights were delayed.
“In jacksonville & everyone confined to one end of airport due to an ‘incident’. I love travel,” wrote Twitter user Mark Grindle.
The Jacksonville Aviation Authority told News4Jax that the bomb squad was called in over a suspicious bag.
A man was taken into custody, witnesses told the station.
“My colleague and I were coming through security, and all of a sudden they stopped everybody that was in security,” witness Jennifer Lee said. “We looked a couple of lanes over and they were arresting a gentleman in sunglasses. Originally they told us to stand there. Then they started to yell at us to leave.”
The station reported that a man coming off a plane was tackled by security and taken into custody.
A witness told News4Jax that she was getting patted down in security when a man rushed past, saying he had a bomb. Several other witnesses confirmed her account.
Approximately 50 police cars and several ambulances were called to the airport.
There were no reports of injuries.
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