Washington DC’s BMI Airport closed due to bomb threat after man ‘told police he had explosives in his car’ Passengers ordered to stay in terminal as major traffic jams piled up
- Police are investigating a bomb threat after a man told law enforcement he had explosives in his car, according to TSA
- Images showed police and fire services at the scene. Helicopters were spotted flying around the airport – and flights from BMI were delayed
Washington DC’s BMI Airport was temporarily closed while police launched an investigation into a hoax bomb threat.
Passengers trying to get to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport were stuck in standstill traffic for more than an hour — while others inside the terminal said they were unable to leave.
Images showed police and fire services at the scene. Helicopters were seen flying around the airport – and flights from BMI were delayed.
Police are investigating a bomb threat after a man told law enforcement he had explosives in his car, according to TSA.
One suspect is in custody – and the vehicle has now been cleared.
Passengers trying to get to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport were stuck in traffic for more than an hour — while others inside the terminal said they couldn’t leave
Washington DC’s BMI Airport is temporarily closed while police investigate a hoax bomb threat
Police are investigating a bomb threat after a man told law enforcement he had explosives in his car, according to TSA
Maryland Transportation Authority police officers arrested the man, according to witnesses and footage from passengers inside the airport.
The airport said in a statement: ‘Due to a law enforcement investigation, the terminal road is temporarily closed. Vehicular traffic approaching the airport is currently being held up.
‘Those in the terminal are advised to remain in place at this time.
‘Law enforcement continues to investigate vehicle on lower level road near terminal.
‘Vehicle traffic is still being held up.
“Those with vehicles in our hourly garage are advised to access the garage via underground tunnel in the center of our main terminal or via Skywalk D.”
Then they wrote in an update: ‘Law enforcement cleared the involved vehicle. Please note that road operations will slowly return to normal. At the moment, the upper level is open for both passenger drop-off/pick-up.
‘Southwest Airlines passengers are allowed to pick up their bags at Bag Belts #1-5. Passengers will not be allowed to depart to the lower level. All passengers and visitors must go to the upper level to exit the airport.’
By 16:15, traffic heading to the airport was allowed to move again, and people inside the terminal building were able to leave.
Maryland’s Department of Emergency Management added: ‘Due to law enforcement investigation, the terminal road at BMI Airport is closed. Traffic approaching the airport is currently being held up.
‘Those in the terminal are advised to remain in place at this time. I-195 @ Aviation Blvd is closed. Avoid traveling to area.’
All trains on Maryland Transit and Light Rail service have suspended service to the airport while the situation continues.
It comes hours after TSA announced that officers at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport caught a traveler with a loaded handgun at one of the checkpoints on Oct. 9, bringing the total number caught so far this year to ‘ produced a record set of 36 guns.
The previous record of 35 guns seized in a year was set in 2022.
“It’s shocking to see that we’ve already surpassed the previous high number of guns seized and it’s still early October,” said Grant Goodlett, TSA’s deputy director of federal security for Maryland.
“Our TSA team here in Baltimore is good at what they do and they remain vigilant to help ensure that no illegal or prohibited items are taken on a flight.
“There is absolutely no excuse for bringing a gun to our checkpoints because you certainly cannot carry it on your flight.”