Flights cancelled at Victoria International Airport following discovery of suspicious package
Just before 8 p.m., the airport reported it had reopened and the incident had been resolved
Around 20 commercial flights were cancelled at Victoria International Airport following the discovery of a suspicious package on Tuesday.
RCMP Cpl. Andres Sanchez said something that looked like "an incendiary device" was found in the departures check-in area of the airport around 1:30 p.m. during a security scan. RCMP closed parts of the airport and a specialized team was brought in to investigate.
RCMP later confirmed the checked baggage in question contained an incendiary item as well as inert surplus military supplies.
Just before 8 p.m., the airport announced it had reopened.
Sanchez said earlier in the evening that the person carrying the luggage is under investigation but police will have to determine the nature of the item before proceeding with any possible charges.
The airport authority announced on Twitter just before 3:30 p.m. that the airport was closing to commercial flights as police responded to an undisclosed incident.
⚠️1/2The RCMP is responding to call for service at YYJ. The airport is closing to commercial flights. We are asking travellers not to come to the airport at this time and to please check your flight status with your carrier or our website. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/yyj?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#yyj</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/yyjops?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#yyjops</a>
—@Fly_YYJ2/2 ⚠️ Victoria Airport Authority cannot comment further at this time. We will endeavour to provide more information as soon as it becomes available. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/yyj?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#yyj</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/yyjops?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#yyjops</a>
—@Fly_YYJIn a brief statement, RCMP said Tuesday afternoon that officers from the Sidney/North Saanich detachment were responding to a threat at the airport. It went on to say there were no public safety concerns, but police asked people to avoid the area around the airport.
RCMP said around 20 flights scheduled from 2:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. were cancelled.
With files from The Canadian Press