American Family Causes Terror Scare at Ben Gurion Airport
With the airport packed to overflowing, and Israelis on edge after recent terror attacks, panic quickly ensued
Left: The unexploded artillery shell that a family of American tourists tried to take with them through Ben Gurion Airport. Right: Travelers flee the area after security announced an evacuation of the airport area due to the bomb. April 28, 2022
A dramatic scene of utter chaos erupted in the crowded departures hall at Ben Gurion International Airport outside Tel Aviv late on Thursday after an American family revealed what was feared to be a bomb.
The Americans, who were apparently tourists and not dual Israeli citizens, had visited the Golan Heights during their stay. While there, they had found what appeared to be an unexploded artillery shell, or at least part of one. Such finds are not uncommon on the Golan, where heavy fighting occurred between Israeli and Syrian forces in both 1967 and 1973.
The family decided to take the shell back with them as a souvenir. They reportedly did not try to hide their prize, and presented it to inspectors during the routine baggage check. Given that it was unexploded ordinance, security officials decided to evacuate the departures hall.
And that’s when everything fell apart.
Ben Gurion Airport has been packed to overflowing of late as Israelis weary of two years of being unable to travel due to Corona have been pouring through the airport. Israelis are also on edge of late following a string of deadly terrorist attacks.
When security announced that the hall must be evacuated immediately, panic ensued.
During the rush, at least one man was injured after trying to escape the scene by running on top of the baggage conveyor belt. He was transferred to a local hospital in moderate condition.
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