Update 4 | Diving equipment marked ‘explosive’ twice on security system

Diving equipment belonging to a passenger travelling to Manchester, was cleared by bomb disposal unit officers after the luggage it had been carried in, twice generated an 'explosives' alarm according to security staff.

Passengers and travellers at the Malta International Airport were evacuated from the depature and arrivals lounges at MIA, due to a suspicious luggage whose owner could not be traced, at around 2:41pm.

Security sources who spoke to MaltaToday say Airport Security (OMAS) first reported finding "traces of explosives" while handling the luggage. At the time, the source said the passenger who owned the luggage could not be found.

A passenger, Colin Watson, said on Twitter that passengers were ushered out of the airport through a crew gate airside, while other passengers and airport workers have been evacuated on the entrance to MIA.

The Bomb Disposal Unit (EOD) was on site to "disrupt" the luggage, by filling it with water in a bid to neutralise any explosive that might be in it.

"Today's evacuation was triggered after airport security flagged a checked-in baggage containing diving equipment that was found to have traces of a suspicious substance," MIA said on its Facebook page. "The bomb disposal unit have now cleared the item in question and Malta International Airport will be resuming operations shortly. Once again we apologise for any inconvenience caused. Safety and security demand that such actions are taken in these circumstances."

“We apologise for the inconvenience but safety and security demand that such actions are taken in these circumstances," said CEO Markus Klaushofer. "Malta International Airport thanks the security team for flagging the item in question, all state authorities and airport stakeholders for their full cooperation and airport users for their patience and understanding. Despite the incident occurring at a busy period for the airport, operations were able to resume as early as possible thanks to everyone’s collaboration."

The situation was brought under control within an hour, with passengers and staff returning inside the terminal by 3:50pm.