SYDNEY — One of Australia’s busiest international airports was locked down after a man brandished a knife and made a bomb threat at a food court, prompting travellers to flee in panic, officials said Sunday. Queensland state police said they evacuated Brisbane Airport’s international terminal late Saturday after finding a “suspicious device” when they responded to reports of the 50-year-old man, who spoke Arabic, threatening a woman. ADVERTISEMENTTerrorism was later ruled out as the cause and the man was charged with domestic violence offences, falsely claiming to destroy or damage an aviation facility, and making a hoax bomb threat. The device looked like a small, black safe with wires sticking out of it, according to a photograph released by police. Canberra introduced sweeping new security laws last year that included allowing Australian police to conduct random identity checks at airports.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer February 03, 2019 05:15 UTC