Fort Lauderdale Airport Terminal Cleared After Unattended Bag Prompts Investigation

March 29, 2023
Airport officials said that the investigation was underway in the baggage claim area of Terminal 1, which is used primarily by Southwest. People were evacuated from the terminal’s lower level.

A terminal at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport was partially evacuated Tuesday evening after deputies were called about an unattended bag.

Airport officials said in a tweet shortly after 8 p.m. that the investigation was underway in the baggage claim area of Terminal 1, which is used primarily by Southwest. People were evacuated from the terminal’s lower level, the tweet said.

Broward Sheriff’s deputies at the airport were called about the unattended bag in Terminal 1 about 6:30 p.m. in the airport’s lower level, spokesperson Miranda Grossman said in an email. The Bomb Squad investigated and cleared the terminal about 9 p.m.

The entrance to the airport from Perimeter Road was blocked off and expected to reopen later Tuesday night.

The Sheriff’s Office said traffic was being rerouted to the airport’s upper level.

Additional details were not immediately available.

Travelers were encouraged to check their airlines for updated information on flights. Departing flights were delayed by about 40 minutes shortly before 10 p.m., according to FlightAware.

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