Belgium’s 2nd-biggest airport evacuated due to suspicious package

By Merve Berker

ANKARA (AA) – Belgium’s second-largest airport is being evacuated due to a suspicious package, local media reported on Friday evening.

The discovery of a suspicious bag around 6 p.m. local time (1600GMT) at Charleroi Airport, located in the southern part of the capital Brussels, prompted the evacuation of Terminal 1 and halted ground operations, according to local TV channel RTBF.

The bomb squad was called to the scene, the reports said.

The bag raised concerns after a dog reacted to it, triggering standard security procedures.

These included isolating the bag, suspending ground operations, and evacuating passengers.

By 7 p.m. (1700GMT), several hundred to several thousand passengers were waiting outside the terminal and adjacent parking lots.

An airport spokesperson said the bomb squad will decide on subsequent steps, the channel added.