Two grenades are depicted in this photo from the Hawaii Police Department. Security personnel at Hawaii Hilo International Airport stopped operations when they discovered two objects in a man’s backpack that appeared to be explosives. On Tuesday, July 9, 2024, police said they had to evacuate the terminal area while a bomb squad examined the grenades and found them to be inert. (AP via Hawaii Police Department)
Hawaii’s HiloSecurity personnel at Hawaii’s Hilo International Airport stopped operations when they discovered two objects in a man’s backpack that appeared to be explosives.
A Japanese man was discovered to have two inert explosives in his hand luggage, according to police, who then ordered a quick evacuation of a Hawaii airport.
Tuesday, while a bomb squad stepped in to look into the suspicious goods that were detected by an X-ray machine, officers emptied the terminal.
Hawaii police said in a statement that “the Hilo International Airport experienced a brief halt in operations” for just over an hour.
According to police reports, the bomb squad “determined the items to be inert grenades,” which means they posed no threat.
According to the force, a 41-year-old Japanese man was taken into jail after being accused of “terroristic threatening” activities.
“Police remind the public that replicas of explosives, such as hand grenades, are prohibited in checked and carry-on baggage.”
A statement from the Hawaii Police Department stated that while a bomb squad assessed the grenades to be inert, officers evacuated the terminal area on Tuesday morning. After around one hour, airport operations were restarted.
Speaking on behalf of the police, Denise Laitinen stated on Wednesday that she was unaware of any other details regarding the grenades’ inactive state.
A 41-year-old man from Kanazawa, Japan, was taken into custody by police on charges of making first-degree terrorist threats. According to authorities, he was sent to a detention center in east Hawaii before being freed while the matter was looked into.
It is forbidden by the Transportation Security Administration to inspect or bring on luggage that contains imitation explosives, such as hand grenades.
