A bizarre incident recently occurred at the Kotoka International Airport, Accra. Smoke was seen coming out of a traveler’s luggage. According to the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), the luggage was located in the baggage wrap area at the departure hall of terminal 3.
In a statement GACL revealed that, “the security team swiftly isolated the bag, and passengers in the terminal were evacuated as per the Ghana Airports Company Limited’s Emergency Operations procedures.”
The owner of the luggage has reportedly been handed over to the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) for interrogation.
GACL advised passengers not to travel with batteries, as this is against International Civil Aviation Regulations. Any detection of batteries or any other prohibited items or substances in luggage, will be confiscated and the passenger handed over to the authorities for processing.
Read the full statement below:
INCIDENT AT TERMINAL 3 DEPARTURE HALL, KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (KIA)
Management of Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) wishes to confirm that on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at approximately 3.27pm, a passenger’s luggage was detected to be emitting smoke at the baggage wrap area at the Departure Hall, Terminal 3, KIA.
The Operations Room of Aviation Security Department was immediately alerted and the luggage in question was swiftly isolated. Passengers in the terminal at the time were quickly evacuated in line with GACL’s Emergency Operations procedures.
The passenger has been handed over to the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) for interrogation. Passengers are advised not to travel with batteries, as this is against International Civil Aviation Regulations. Any detection of batteries or any other prohibited items or substances in luggage, will be confiscated and the passenger handed over to the authorities for processing.
Management wishes to thank passengers who were in the departure hall at the time of the incident for their cooperation during the evacuation process. The safety of our passengers is paramount.
All passenger facilitation and terminal operations have resumed smoothly.
SIGNED MANAGEMENT 22nd SEPTEMBER 2024
