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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Abigail O'Leary

Family bring unexploded artillery shell into airport sparking terrifying bomb alert

A family sparked terror at an Israeli airport when they tried to bring back an unexploded artillery shell as a souvenir from their trip.

Passengers fled in panic at Ben Gurion International Airport when the American family showed the rusty shell part to security staff operating luggage scanners.

The revelation triggered an emergency evacuation of the terminal, sending hundreds of horrified travellers running.

The family had earlier visited the Israeli-administered Golan Heights region, where one of the children spotted the rusty shell piece, said the Israeli Airports Authority.

They apparently kept it as a souvenir and packed it in their baggage before heading to the airport on 28th April.

The family had earlier visited the Israeli-administered Golan Heights region (twitter.com/ZOTZLEIJTARIS)
A woman flees after security staff discovered the shell ((Copyright: CEN))

The Airports Authority said: "When they arrived to check their luggage, they showed the piece of the shell to security.

"Since it was a piece of a shell, the evacuation of the area was announced."

Despite the announcement imploring people to evacuate the area "slowly", panic swiftly overtook passengers in the departure terminal.

Israel is still reeling from a series of terror attacks that killed 14 across the country.

The footage shows passengers running, shouting, cowering on the floor and clambering under tables.

People fell to the floor for cover after the shell was discovered ((Copyright: CEN))
People running for their lives through the airport ((Copyright: CEN))

One Israeli man, aged 32, had to be taken to hospital for treatment after he climbed onto a baggage conveyor belt and took a tumble.

He later told local media: "There was a lot of shouting. I just felt that I had to run for my life."

Passengers returned to the terminal after security staff determined there was no danger.

The family was also permitted to board their flight to America following a brief investigation - but they had to leave the shell behind.

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