Cargo sparks security alert at US and UK airports

At least one UPS plane was isolated at Philadelphia airport

A security alert is under way in both the UK and the US after reports of a suspicious cargo package at a British airport.

Parts of East Midlands Airport were sealed off after an alert was sparked at 0330 BST (0230 GMT) on Friday. Investigations are ongoing on cargo planes at Newark in New Jersey, and Philadelphia.

The suspicious package in the UK was believed to be on its way from Yemen to Chicago. It was reported to be an ink toner cartridge that had been tampered with. Sources told the BBC it was not a "bomb" but was "potentially sinister".

Emergency services were called to the airport in Donington, Leicestershire, overnight and evacuated a distribution centre, while the suspicious package was examined. The cordon was lifted only to be reimposed at 1400 BST (1300 GMT) for further investigations. The closed-off area was a freight distribution centre and a number of link roads.

The planes in the US were taken to remote locations to be searched. It was reported that at least one of the cargo planes being searched in the US was a UPS jet at Philadelphia. "Out of an abundance of caution the planes were moved to a remote location where they are being met by law enforcement officials," the TSA said.

A UPS courier truck in New York was also being investigated. But there has been no confirmation as to whether it is linked to the airport checks.


From BBC




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