A technical fault threw the Brisbane domestic airport in Australia into chaos today, forcing thousands of people to be re-screened. The fault came from a single metal detector the at the domestic terminal. About 10 flights that were set to depart after an hour were delayed.
Everyone who was inside the terminal had to be re-screened, according to a Brisbane Airport spokesman reported The Gaurdian. The airport released a statement on Monday that said, “The fault was quickly identified and there is no safety or security threat.”
Craig MacLean, a passenger, said that the everyone on a 3.40 pm flight had boarded when they were told that there had been a security breach at the airport. Maclean took to X to post about the situation, saying, "Entire Brisbane airport domestic terminal being evacuated. Have just been deplaned to leave and re-screen. Report is that security screening device was used whilst in fault mode and thus some passengers (were) not screened."
The passengers at the airport stayed calm, but there was mass confusion when people were turned away by security at the screening. The airport later apologised for the inconvenience and thanked passengers for their patience and understanding. “Our care team has been activated and is on the ground to support passengers," the statement said.
Brisbane's international airport terminal was not affected by the issue, according to the statement.
The terminal is Australia's third busiest airport and has 62 domestic destination connections.