The Jacksonville International Airport has reopened after being evacuated Tuesday amid "police activity" concerning two suspicious packages, according to NBC News.
At a late evening press conference, Shannon Hartley, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office spokesman, said the bomb squad dispatched to the scene had recovered a "device" in one of the package "certainly had some destructive nature." However, Hartley declined to provide specifics about the device, adding that federal and local authorities are still investigating the nerve-wracking incident. Officials said key airport staff is en route to the airport to aid with logistics.
"Airline, TSA and airport personnel are returning to airport to process luggage and assist passengers," the airport said in a post uploaded to its official Facebook page. It was not immediately clear what the two packages contained. One was found in a terminal; the other was found in a garage. Hartley said earlier Tuesday that the active investigation "is going to take a while." Airport spokesman Michael Stewart said passengers should consult with their airlines to find out if travel arrangements have been altered.
The Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) is a joint civil-military public site north of downtown Jacksonville, a city in Duval County, Fla. It is owned and operated by the Jacksonville Aviation Authority. There have been no reports of injuries or damage. Jacksonville police blocked off the entrance to the airport.
Airport officials tweeted that passengers on inbound flights currently on the ground would be bused to offsite hotels as transportation became available. Stewart advised people intending to fly from the airport or pick up travelers to check with their individual airlines on the status of the flights.
