Woman who sparked Frankfurt Airport lockdown ‘fled security by mistake after traces of explosives found in her rucksack’

A WOMAN sparked a terror alert and shut down part of Germany’s busiest airport after security officers reportedly found traces of explosives in her luggage.

Passengers leave Terminal 1 of Frankfurt Airport as police clear the area. Picture: AFP

A WOMAN with two kids sparked a terror alert and shut down part of Germany’s busiest airport after security officers reportedly found traces of explosives in her luggage – and she left thinking the check was over.

According to The Sun, Frankfurt’s Terminal 1 was placed in lockdown and 7,000 passengers ordered to clear the building as the woman was said to have fled the security checkpoint and vanished in the crowds in the airside departures hall.

Cops later said it may have been a misunderstanding – and the woman thought the screening was finished as the pressed on towards her gate.

The 10am alert sparked a full evacuation – and long flight delays – as officers scoured the terminal.

A vehicle used for defusing bombs drives through the evacuated Hall A of Terminal 1. Picture: AP

Police later said no explosive devices or material were found.

The woman was travelling with two children from Istanbul to New York, with a change at Frankfurt.

Reports in Germany said a routine swab at the security check had found traces of explosives in her rucksack.

But after she was questioned by federal police they said they did not believe she meant to evade the screening.

A spokeswoman said: “Based on initial findings of the questioning, it looks like this may have just been an accident.”

Police officers and travellers wait in the departure area of the airport in Frankfurt. Picture: AFP

Police were seen blocking entrances and thousands of passengers who had already checked in and passed security were ordered to leave the terminal.

Hundreds of people arriving from across the world had to sit and wait on their planes while the hunt for the suspect continued.

The evacuation was expected to cause knock-on delays across Europe and further afield as Frankfurt is a major international transport hub and many passengers use it for connecting flights.

At least 100 flights have been cancelled and planes due to land were being diverted with no arrivals before 4pm local time.

Police cleared the terminal building while they hunted the suspect and checked for explosives. Picture: AFP