SEATAC — A heavy police response shut down the upper drive for departures at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Sunday evening.
Two suspicious bags were found at the airport’s ticket counter, Transportation Security Administration spokesperson Gervais Joubert said. Bomb technicians and Port of Seattle police responded, and the north area of the airport was evacuated, Joubert said.
Port of Seattle spokesperson Peter McGraw said there was no threat to passengers. Inside the abandoned bags, he said, police discovered scuba and fishing gear.
A post from the airport said police were investigating “out of an abundance of caution” and warned passengers may experience rerouting for departures and ticketing.
The airport advised travelers to give themselves extra time Sunday night. Alaska Airlines suggested travelers check their flight status before arriving at the airport.
Security checkpoints 3, 4, and 5 were closed during the response. A Federal Aviation Administration website showed there was a ground stop for planes until 7:45 p.m.
A bomb disposal robot was seen going inside the terminal. Around 6:50 p.m., a Port of Seattle police officer pushed everyone back from the police line.
“Everyone, please back up, there’s going to be a little boom,” he said. An announcement over a loudspeaker also cautioned there might be an explosion.
Someone yelled, “Fire in the hole.” Then, a bang sounded out.
The airport fully reopened shortly before 8 p.m. after police ended their investigation, and after the objects in question had been “rendered harmless.”