'Explosion' as airport evacuated after bomb alert in holiday hotspot
AN AIRPORT on the holiday island of Corsica was evacuated this evening due to a bomb alert.
Bastia-Poretta Airport in Corsica has been evacuated due to a bomb threat
Bastia-Poretta Airport on the French island was cleared due to an "abandoned bag", according to witnesses.
One traveller tweeted the evacuation had taken just two minutes, adding: "Bravo!"
Another Twitter user reported an "explosion", possibly a controlled detonation.
The evacuation was sparked by an unattended bag within the terminal.
Bastia-Poretta Airport in Corsica has been evacuated
The incident began at shortly before 6pm local time (5pm BST).
One person said a "police operation" had taken place and photos posted online show crowds of passengers sitting outside in the airport's car park.
Bastia-Poretta Airport was evacuated this afternoon due to a bomb threat
Flights have since resumed, indicating the package has been dismissed as a legitimate threat.
The airport served one million passengers per year, along with services by easyJet from Manchester and London Gatwick, Flyby from Birmingham and Southampton and British Airways from London Heathrow.