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Long delays at Orlando airport after battery explodes in bag, causing panic and evacuation

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File photo of Orlando International Airport. Photo: TNS

Travellers at Orlando International Airport faced long delays on Friday night after a battery exploded in a bag, causing people to panic and the airport to be evacuated.

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After the incident, flights were grounded. Passengers were asked to disembark planes and people waiting at their gates were forced to pass through TSA security screening again.

A lithium camera battery overheated and exploded in the main terminal, which sparked hysteria among travellers, Orlando Police Department said, adding there was “no danger to the public” and “NO shots had been fired”.

In a tweet, authorities said the camera bag was “smouldering”.

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Airport spokesman Rod Johnson said the noise was reported soon after 5pm in front of the security checkpoint to gates 1-59. He said a full ground-stop was issued and passengers should check with their airlines for any delays.

The checkpoints were still closed and Johnson said passengers who were at their gates were being brought back out into the main terminal to be screened again.

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