Sydney Airport was a little more hectic than usual this morning after a mysterious package sparked chaos in the busy Qantas Domestic Terminal.
However, the suss looking white powder wasn’t anything sinister and turned out to be nothing more than your typical household laundry detergent. But that doesn’t mean it didn’t cause an absolute ruckus for morning travellers.
[jwplayer UFZUkt6Y]
Emergency crews including hazmat crews and the AFP were called to the scene just after 9 am this morning after reports of an “unidentified white substance” that was found in the cargo hold of a Qantas Boeing 747.
Upon closer look, hazmat crews realised that the mystery substance was just your average washing powder. No cause for concern here.
Twitter user @mediacircus123 captured the chaos as police, fire and hazmat crew worked quickly to identify the powder.
Hazardous materials incident at Sydney domestic terminal gate 35. There is dodgy cargo on board a #QANTAS aircraft with 130 passengers still on board. HAZMAT and airport fire brigade on scene now assessing what it is. pic.twitter.com/UtSi3OHLFg
— The Media Circus (@MediaCircus123) July 26, 2019
Passengers onboard the Brisbane-bound flight had to be evacuated from the aircraft during the ordeal. A spokesperson for Qantas confirmed that the displaced passengers have all been accommodated on other flights.
It seems like a teeny, tiny bit of an overreaction to call the AFP over some washing powder, but it’s always best to make sure it’s definitely some Napisan and not something dangerous. I’m glad Sydney Airport decided to play it safe and nobody was harmed.
