A major international airport had to be evacuated on Tuesday evening after a man claimed to have a bomb in his bag. Officers at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida detained a man on Tuesday (November 18)

The alleged incident affected access to pre-security public areas of the arrival and departure levels of Terminal 4 of the airport, officials said. An airport spokesman told the Miami Herald said: “We appreciate your patience and cooperation during this ongoing investigation.”

An airport spokesman also said: “An ongoing security-related investigation is impacting access to pre-security public areas of the arrivals and departures levels of Terminal 4 only.

“Law enforcement personnel are diverting airport guests to unaffected terminal areas. We appreciate your patience and cooperation during this ongoing investigation.

“This is a developing situation and updates will be posted when available.”

Local authorities were compelled to act after a man claimed he was carrying a bomb in his bag. The incident prompted swift intervention, and the Broward Sheriff’s Office has since confirmed that the individual is now in custody and a bomb squad retrieved a bag. 

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport updated passengers on the situation by posting on X (formerly Twitter).

It read: “Travel Advisory No. 1: An ongoing security-related investigation is impacting access to pre-security public areas of the arrivals and departures levels of Terminal 4 only.

“Law enforcement personnel are diverting airport guests to unaffected terminal areas. We appreciate your patience and cooperation during this ongoing investigation. This is a developing situation and updates will be posted when available.”