Authorities cleared Terminal 1 at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) on Thursday evening as a precautionary measure, with Germany's federal police confirming reports that emerged on social media from people at the scene.

A police spokesman told Germany's DPA news agency that passengers had been asked to leave the building. He said a woman had told security staff she had a dangerous substance in her luggage. "A potential threat from the unidentified substance could not be ruled out," the spokesperson said.

Consequently, a luggage danger alert was issued, though officials declined further comment at the early stage. Prior to the confirmation, travelers and a German reporter posted footage showing crowds waiting outside and emergency vehicles parked near the lower-level entrance.

The airport later confirmed the incident. "Because of the suspicion of a dangerous substance, the federal police issued a luggage danger alert at around 17:45," a spokesman said, leading to the "public area of Terminal 1 being cleared." He added that planes ready for departure could take off normally, and incoming flights could continue to land.

Passenger processing was being "relocated to Terminal 2 to the extent that it's possible," he said. "The degree to which this could lead to delays or cancellations is not yet foreseeable." Many flights departing Terminal 1 around 7 p.m. local time were marked as at least slightly delayed on the airport's website.

BER, also known as "Willy Brandt Airport" in Schönefeld, is Berlin's busiest and Germany's third-busiest airport since opening in 2020. It serves as the primary hub for many federal government flights, handling approximately 26 million passengers annually. This is a developing story, with more details to follow.

Source: www.dw.com