German travel chaos: Sex toy shuts down Berlin airport as farce takes off at Frankfurt

The suspicious 'device' caused an evacuation of the Berlin airport terminal. Photo / Getty

A terminal of Berlin's Schönefeld airport was plunged into chaos after airport security discovered a suspicious "device" in a passenger's bag.

The routine x-ray check of carry-on luggage raised suspicions over the mystery device,
causing the busy German terminal to be evacuated.

Writing on social media the passenger described their embarrassment:

"When I arrived, the terminal was being evacuated. I approached a police officer and told him that I needed to check my bag with the baggage handlers. He asked my name and for my passport. He then spoke into his radio and several armed police swarmed me with automatic weapons."

Passenger note #SXF airport: Due to police investigation concerning a piece of baggage, check-in at Terminal D is currently restricted. https://t.co/pRtVsNgEHh

— Berlin Airport Service (@berlinairport) August 7, 2018

The suspect device was not, as security feared, a hand grenade but a vibrator.

A spokesperson for the Bundespolizei (German Federal Police) said that the check-in was closed for up to an hour, causing delays to flights.

Meanwhile in Frankfurt

Just as this situation had been diffused, another incident was declared Frankfurt Airport Germany's hub for international travel.

On Tuesday areas of Frankfurt Airport were evacuated after what police called "an error by a security officer."

Passengers were escorted out of Terminal 1 after a family passed security with a "positive test for explosives."

The French family of four had been allowed to enter the departure lounge after.
Police did not say what had caused this explosives reading.

However, the ensuing chaos resulted in 49 flight cancellations and for evacuated passengers to be re-assessed by security before they could return to departures.

Social media showed scenes of confusion and complained of a lack of communication by the airport.

Nothing like 33ºC, lots of people, low air conditioning and a security operation at Frankfurt Airport. pic.twitter.com/n5AkBmODsJ

— Rodrigo Jiménez Silva (@jimenezroy) August 7, 2018

So @Airport_FRA and @lufthansa clearly need a crisis communication plan. They have no clue what they’re doing and there’s zero information for ppl who are stranded here

— Wendy *Black Lives Matter* (@wendy_troost) August 7, 2018

Frankfurt Germany's largest airport with around 1500 daily flights and this event had large knock on effects for flights.

The family were found and cleared after questioning, before being allowed to carry on.