Two detained after Billy Bishop Airport Ferry Terminal evacuated due to suspicious package
Two “persons of interest” are in custody after operations at Billy Bishop Airport were suspended due to a “potential explosive device” found at the airport’s ferry terminal, according to Toronto Police.
The runway at Billy Bishop was closed for the evening, according to the airport.
Police said they are currently in the process of detonating the device and warned the public on Twitter that a “loud bang” could be heard if they are in the area.
The airport also said on Twitter that passengers should expect delays because of the incident, with two Air Canada flights being rerouted to Hamilton.
The ferry terminal was evacuated and the pedestrian tunnel closed. Passengers who were waiting in the airport’s lounges were also evacuated.
Those stranded inside the airport terminal described a confused, but relatively calm scene where staff offered sparse updates and passengers learned about the situation from news reports.
They reported seeing about six heavily armed police officers in tactical gear come into the terminal and head toward an upper floor, away from crowds gathered near the exits.
Passengers were evacuated from the airport by water taxi.
Police tweeted they were called to the mainland terminal around 3:49 p.m.
Billy Bishop Airport tweeted that the device was located on a bike “near the island-side ferry terminal.”
Police told the Star the suspects in custody were co-operating with the investigation.
Residents in the area were evacuated and Police said shelter buses were arranged for those affected.
Both 34 Little Norway Cres. and 681 Queens Quay were evacuated while 650 Queens Quay was partially evacuated, according to police.
No injuries were reported and police have asked people to stay away from the area.
Roads in the area were closed as police investigated.
Police say that includes Lakeshore Boulevard from Strachan Avenue to Dan Leckie Way, Bathurst Street from Breyers Mews to the waterfront, and Queens Quay from Dan Leckie Way to Stadium Road.
The Emergency Disposal Unit (EDU) was called to the scene.
According to the airport, the device in question was removed by police.
There was an emergency response training exercise earlier in the day at the airport from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
According to PortsToronto, the exercise was meant to test “airport protocols, procedures, communications and planning for emergency and/or security related incidents,” and is required by Transport Canada.
With files from The Canadian Press.
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