Billy Bishop Airport ferry terminal evacuated

Toronto police say two ‘persons of interest’ are in custody after operations at Billy Bishop Airport were suspended due to a ‘potential explosive device’ found at the airport’s ferry terminal.

The Billy Bishop runway was closed for the evening, according to the airport.

Police said they were currently detonating the device and warned the public on Twitter that a “loud bang” could be heard if they were in the area.

The airport also said on Twitter that passengers should expect delays due to the incident, with two Air Canada flights being rerouted to Hamilton.

The ferry terminal was evacuated and the pedestrian tunnel closed. Passengers waiting in airport lounges were also evacuated.

Those stranded inside the airport terminal described a confused but relatively calm scene, where staff offered sparse updates and passengers learned of the situation from news reports.

They reported seeing about six heavily armed police in tactical gear entering the terminal and heading to an upper floor, away from the crowds gathered near the exits.

The passengers were evacuated from the airport by water taxi.

Police tweeted that they were called to the Continental Terminal around 3:49 p.m.

Billy Bishop Airport tweeted that the device was located on a bicycle “near the island’s ferry terminal”.

Police told The Star that suspects in custody are cooperating with the investigation.

Residents in the area were evacuated and police said bus shelters had been set up for those affected.

Both 34 Little Norway Cres. and 681 Queens Quay were evacuated while 650 Queens Quay were partially evacuated, according to police.

No injuries were reported and police asked people to stay away from the area.

Roads in the area were closed while police investigated.

According to police, this includes Lakeshore Boulevard from Strachan Avenue to Dan Leckie Way, Bathurst Street from Breyers Mews to the waterfront and Queens Quay from Dan Leckie Way to Stadium Road.

The Emergency Evacuation Unit (EDU) was called to the scene.

According to the airport, the device in question was removed by the police.

There was a emergency response training exercise earlier in the day at the airport from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

According to PortsToronto, the exercise was intended to test “the airport’s protocols, procedures, communications and planning for emergencies and/or security incidents” and is required by Transport Canada.

With files from The Canadian Press.

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