Manchester airport terminal 3 evacuated after suspect bag found

Greater Manchester Police's bomb squad attended the scene

Manchester Airport's Terminal 3 is being re-opened after the discovery of a suspicious bag caused it to be evacuated.

The terminal was shut down before a full search was launched, according to people there.

The airport said in a statement it was conducting a "precautionary evacuation" of the terminal due to the bag. A bomb-disposal team from Greater Manchester Police was sent to the scene.

People reported they were being asked to move far back from the airport's terminal after the evacuation had taken place.

Manchester's airport is the third biggest in the country and more than 22 million passengers go through it each year. People who were sent out as they waited for their flight complained on social media that their trips might be delayed and that they were left waiting while the package was seen to.

Photos and videos posted online showed hundreds of people waiting outside the terminal – both at its front and on the tarmac – without apparently being told what to do.

Passengers due to fly from the affected terminal were told to travel to Terminal 1 instead.

The airport has confirmed it has started allowing staff and passengers back into the terminal.

In a statement, the airport said: "Manchester Airport can confirm that our routine hold baggage screening process in Terminal 3 identified a bag which appeared to contain a suspicious item."

The police were immediately informed and passengers safely evacuated while further investigations took place, it added.

"Officers have now determined the bag poses no threat and we are beginning the process of allowing colleagues and passengers back into the terminal.

"We apologise to all passengers affected by this incident. The safety and security of our customers and employees will always be our number one priority."

Passengers due to travel from Terminal 3 have been told to contact their airline for updates, the airport said.

The evacuation came a day after a terminal at Heathrow was evacuated and shut because of what turned out to be a false fire alarm. It was also a day after Manchester's terminal one had to be temporarily shut because of water leaking through the roof.