American family brings unexploded 'souvenir' bomb to Israeli airport
An American family triggered a bomb scare at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport after trying to bring an unexploded artillery shell through a security checkpoint on Thursday.
A member of the family had reportedly picked up the unexploded bomb as a "souvenir" on their trip to the occupied Golan Heights, the Times of Israel reported. The family showed the shell to authorities, who announced an immediate evacuation of the area.
In videos circulating online, chaos erupted in the departure hall, with people running and panicking. A 32-year-old man was hospitalised with injuries as he tried to flee across a moving baggage carousel, the Israel Airports Authority confirmed.
The family was eventually allowed to board their flight - without the unexploded bomb - after being interrogated by security staff who gave the all-clear.
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Ben Gurion Airport, which is just outside of Tel Aviv, has one of the highest levels of security in the world. Both travellers and vehicles must pass through multiple security checkpoints before reaching the terminal, and many are subject to intense scrutiny before being allowed to board flights.
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