Travel chaos after suspicious item at Austin Airport, reports

(STORYFUL) - Travelers at Austin International Airport were removed from part of the Barbara Jordan Terminal as law enforcement responded to a “suspicious item” on Thursday, October 9, according to a statement from the airport.

Footage captured by X user Raika Sarkett shows the area around gate 23 packed with waiting passengers impacted by the incident.

“Landed in Austin and no one can exit the airport due to suspicious activity,” Sarkett wrote.

The airport - which first announced the incident at about 6:30 pm - said the Austin Police Department had established a perimeter to ensure the safety of the public while they worked to remove the item.

In an update at about 7:30 p.m. local time, the airport said package was successfully cleared. “The airport returned to its normal operations,”