Christchurch airport is evacuated after security find an explosive device New Zealand

Christchurch airport has been evaucated after a suspicious item believed to be an explosive device was found during a routine bag screening.

The airport, located just outside the city on New Zealand’s south island, was cleared at about 8am local time on Thursday morning after security found what was believed to be an ‘improvised explosive device’ (IED).

Police were immediately called to the domestic terminal with all staff and passengers being evacuated.

Flights were suspended in the area and police are currently speaking to two people in relation to the item.

The terminal then re-opened just before 11am local time.

The airport was cleared at about 8am local time on Thursday morning after security found what was believed to be an ‘improvised explosive device’

The New Zealand Defence Force’s bomb team were called to the terminal to investigate the item as a precaution, with sniffer dog units also patrolling the airport.

Passengers who arrived at Christchurch on Thursday morning were forced to wait on plans for as long as two hours, with many complaining they had not been informed of why there was delays.

NZ Police released a statement at 10:40am local time saying the airport had returned to normal operations. 

‘Police are in charge of the inquiry and say no threats have been made,’ the spokeswoman said. 

An Avsec worker had identified the item as it moved through a layer, prompting officials to shut down the building.

Police were called in but dismissed the threat, but did not disclose what the item was. 

The New Zealand Herald reported hundreds of passengers were waiting outside the terminal without any idea what was going on 

‘We were upstairs in the Koru Lounge and there was an announcement to say evacuate the building immediately. The sirens went off,’ a man named Lance told the outlet.

‘We were waiting for a flight. It was meant to go at 9.10am but I doubt it. It could be a couple of hours.’