One passenger at the airport said that “it was pandemonium”.
Airline passengers were evacuated from the main terminal building in Orlando International Airport on Friday after a camera battery exploded inside a bag near a security checkpoint.
Orlando Police had to assure the public that no shots had been fired inside the terminal following reports of a loud noise in the building that had people running for cover.
ALERT: There has been NO shooting at Orlando International Airport. There was a loud sound that startled people, but no shots fired, no danger to public.
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) November 10, 2017
UPDATE: Again, NO shots were fired at MCO. A lithium battery in a camera exploded in a bag; that was the noise people heard. The bag was smoldering; no one hurt. Thank you for helping us get the word out.
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) November 10, 2017
After investigation, it has been determined that a lithium-ion battery inside a camera overheated and exploded. As a result of the incident, a ground stop was issued and a number of flights were held. Passengers have been allowed to reenter and checkpoints have reopened.
— Orlando International Airport (@MCO) November 10, 2017
It was subsequently determined that the noise came from a lithium-ion battery that had overheated and exploded inside a bag, forcing the evacuation of the terminal building and cancellations and delays to several flights.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, passengers had to disembark aircraft and go through the security screening process again, leading to massive queues for hours afterwards.
One passenger, Mike Robinson, told the Orlando Sentinel that “it was pandemonium”.
“People sprinted past the security checkpoint to take cover,” he added.
“Now they’re bringing people out of their gates, off-loading them to be screened again. There’s thousands and thousands of people… I look back and I see a sea of people.”
Footage recorded at the scene showed the aftermath of the evacuation, with several poles strewn on the floor at the entrance to the security gate.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BbVjfiqFInn/?taken-by=juanpainter777
Clip via Instagram/Juanpainter777 via Storyful
https://www.instagram.com/p/BbVWiBwFy38/?taken-by=juanpainter777
All security checkpoints have since reopened, while Orlando International Airport confirmed that approximately 24 flights were cancelled as a result.
A complete review of airport response will take place on Monday.
All checkpoints have been reopened. Work continues toward resuming normal operations. For those whose flights were cancelled this evening, we encourage you to arrive at the airport early tomorrow as higher passenger volume is expected. Airline/airport staff will be increased.
— Orlando International Airport (@MCO) November 11, 2017
GOAA CEO Phil Brown addresses media about lithium battery incident at MCO on Friday night. He says a complete review of airport response will take place on Monday. Approximately 24 flights were cancelled as a result of the incident. pic.twitter.com/qEn8iBAOMg
— Orlando International Airport (@MCO) November 11, 2017
Main image via Instagram/Juanpainter777
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