Australia: Canberra Airport Evacuated After Shooting Incident. Gunman Taken Into Custody

Canberra Airport Firing: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been briefed about the incident. 

Canberra airport was closed after a firing incident took place near the check-in area.

Source : Twitter/@JoshButler

New Delhi: Airport in Australia’s national capital, Canberra was evacuated after a shooting incident took place here on Sunday morning, said the Australian federal police, reported news agency ANI. Following the incident, one person was taken into custody and a firearm was recovered, the police said, adding that the person is the only one believed to be responsible for the incident as of now as per the CCTV footage. 

The Canberra Airport terminal was evacuated as a precaution and the situation at the Airport is contained, they said, quoted by the news agency. 

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been briefed about the incident. 

“Have been briefed by the AFP on the incident at Canberra Airport this afternoon. I am advised a man has been detained and there is no ongoing threat present,” Albanese tweeted. 

Have been briefed by the AFP on the incident at Canberra Airport this afternoon. I am advised a man has been detained and there is no ongoing threat present.

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) August 14, 2022

Police were called at around 1:30 pm (Australian time) following reports of gunshots after which parts of the airport were locked while others were evacuated and planes were grounded, reported the Guardian. 

“ACT policing requires members of the public to not attend the airport at this time,” they said. 

The fires were shot by the gunman in the air near the check-in area as per the Guardian report. 

Four bullet holes could be seen in three large glass windows on the second floor of the airport’s terminal. 

As per the Guardian report quoting a witness, Helen who was flying to Melbourne with her husband, the gunman was middle-aged, “clean cut” and holding a pistol and added that she heard about six shots. 

The airport is still locked and around five planes remain on the tarmac as Australian Federal Police continue to sweep the entire terminal and interview witnesses, reported ABC adding that some flights had been cancelled or rescheduled and travellers were advised to check with their airline.