Bag explodes while being loaded onto a plane at Chicago’s Midway Airport
- Incident occurred at Chicago’s Midway International Airport on Monday just before 12.30pm
- Bag was being loaded onto a plane operated by Mexican airline Volaris
- Police said the bag exploded on a loading belt soon after it had been accidentally run over by a luggage vehicle
- Authorities believe the explosion may have been caused by a cellphone battery or charger
Emergency crews have responded to a bomb ordeal at a Chicago airport after a bag exploded while being loaded onto a flight.
The incident occurred at Midway International Airport on Monday just before 12.30pm when the piece of luggage was being loaded onto a plane operated by Mexican airline Volaris.
Police said the bag exploded on a loading belt soon after it had been accidentally run over by a luggage vehicle.
The bomb squad and emergency crews were called in to investigate.
The incident occurred at Chicago’s Midway International Airport on Monday just before 12.30pm when the piece of luggage was being loaded onto a plane
They believe the explosion may have been caused by a cellphone battery or charger.
Authorities said the explosion made a loud noise and the bag was omitting smoke afterwards.
‘A bag that had gone through screening and was being transported by the airline on the tarmac to an outgoing flight did emit a loud noise and smoke,’ the TSA said following the incident.
‘Initial findings are that it may have been dragged by an aircraft tug and involved a camera battery. The bag was cleared by the Chicago Police Bomb and Arson Squad. No one was injured.’
Police confirmed at about 2pm that the incident had been cleared and there was no public safety threat.
They said all airport operations were resuming.