TSA was forced to shut down one of its security checkpoints after making a shocking discovery during a routine screening.
The horrifying object was found in a carry-on bag at Detroit Metro Airport – sparking a full evacuation and closure of the checkpoint, officials said.
A security checkpoint was evacuated after security found a dangerous item[/caption]
When working on a regular scan on Sunday, June 15, security guards found an inert hand grenade buried inside one passenger’s bag.
This triggered an immediate evacuation of the checkpoint, which also closed down completely.
An explosive specialist was rushed to the scene.
Airport police also raced to the scene of the frightening discovery, before examining the item.
But they confirmed the fake grenade was not a threat shortly after analysing the object.
The device was not live – but TSA reminded travellers about taking such objects to the airport.
Replicas or toy imitations of weapons such as hand grenades and guns are strictly forbidden.
Taking these items to carry-on or checked luggage will result in the bag being flagged.
TSA’s federal security director for Michigan Reggie Stephens warned of the consequences of trying to take such objects through security.
He said: “When individuals bring prohibited items to our checkpoints, it significantly slows down the security screening process for other travelers.”
The screening area was reopened after officials confirmed there was no threat from the item.
TSA encouraged flyers to review their “What Can I Bring?” list.
They said it would help travellers understand which items are prohibited when going through security checkpoints.
It comes after airport security officials clarified a rule for passengers flying with toys.
The clarification was prompted after a six-year-old boy was reduced to tears when his stuffed animal was confiscated.
A family flying out of Bradley, Connecticut described how their son was left crying after airport guards suspected his beloved toy was a “possible explosive”.
Mum Jenna Lucky and her son Gabriel flew to Connecticut with his toy dog Petey without any problems in mid-May.
But on the way back he was flagged by airport security and pulled off the x-ray machine.
Jenna said: “The TSA agent and his supervisor came up to us and explained, you know, we need to do more testing on this animal.
“It got flagged. You know, it’s a possible explosive.”
And earlier this month, it was revealed that a new high-tech airport security system that would let officers “feel” for threats without laying a finger on passengers was being developed by the TSA.
The cutting-edge system would deploy VR kits to let officers pat down people at security without needing to actually touch them.
An inert grenade was found inside a bag[/caption]
