Authorities at an international airport in Hawaii arrested a traveler from Japan for 'terroristic threatening' after he allegedly brought two hand grenades in his carry-on luggage. The incident occurred at Hilo International Airport, leading to an evacuation and subsequent investigation by law enforcement.
The Hawaii Police Department and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) confirmed that the airport was evacuated on Tuesday morning following the discovery of two items resembling grenades during X-ray screening. The traveler, identified as Akito Fukushima from Kanazawa, Japan, was taken into custody for first-degree terroristic threatening.
According to TSA agents, the grenades were found around 5:30 a.m. local time while screening Fukushima's carry-on bag as he was preparing to depart the country. As a precautionary measure, the airport was evacuated, and the Hawaii Police Department's bomb squad conducted an investigation.
Specialists later determined that the grenades were inert, alleviating concerns about an immediate threat. Despite this, Fukushima was arrested at 6:45 a.m. and transported to the police department's East Hawaii Detention Facility for further processing.
In response to the incident, the Hawaii Police Department emphasized that replicas of explosives, including hand grenades, are strictly prohibited in both checked and carry-on baggage to ensure the safety of all travelers and airport personnel.
Following the resolution of the situation, airport operations resumed at 6:50 a.m., allowing normal travel activities to resume. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to aviation security regulations and the vigilance of airport authorities in maintaining a secure travel environment.
