Suspicious Item at Australian Airport Triggers Evacuation, Turns Out to Be Hair Removal Device

(CNA, Sydney, 21st, comprehensive foreign report) Australia's Avalon Airport in Victoria state partially evacuated personnel this morning after a suspicious item was detected during a security check. After the bomb squad was called to the scene, it was discovered that the suspicious item was just a laser hair removal device. In a statement to AFP, Victoria Police said: "The bomb disposal unit conducted an examination of an item and confirmed it was a laser hair removal device." Acting Inspector Nick Uebergang stated that the suspicious device was a laser hair removal device placed on a conveyor belt with a can of hot chocolate, which prompted police to be called. He said, "Initially, the owner of the backpack was not very cooperative, which made the situation a bit tricky." The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that Uebergang said the passenger did not provide sufficient information to investigators. The incident caused numerous flight delays and cancellations, the terminal was closed for four hours, and a robot was dispatched to the scene to inspect the item. The man was not charged, and the airport reopened later in the day. The airport confirmed in a statement that "the item is no longer considered a risk." An airport spokesperson said, "Today's response demonstrates the vigilance of our screening and security procedures, and precautionary measures were immediately taken to ensure the safety of passengers, staff, and the wider community."