May 21, 2023Updated: May 21, 2023 2:33 PM
A file photo of Terminal 2 at SFO.
Courtesy of SFO
San Francisco International Airport passengers were evacuated from Terminal 2 after an unattended item was found Sunday afternoon.
SFO officials announced just before 1 p.m. that passengers were evacuating the terminal so police could ensure the area was safe. “SFPD is responding to the Terminal 2 food court area to clear an unattended item,” the airport said tweeted. “Food court and D-gate areas will be cleared as a precaution.”
At 2:30 p.m., after more than an hour, SFO announced that the evacuation was being lifted. “The problem is solved. The staff begin to return to the security post. Passengers should be released shortly,” the airport said in a statement.
Videos and photos posted by travelers showed crowds of passengers waiting outside the terminal or being asked to gather at another terminal during the delay. It’s not clear how long the remaining backup will last, although many flights scheduled to depart at 1pm or later show as “delayed” on the departure board.
🚨 SFO San Francisco Airport Terminal 2 is being evacuated due to police operations and passengers are being redirected to other terminals.
I was supposed to be flying back to LAX but was told all flights are currently suspended. pic.twitter.com/xt2gcRfxm2
— Leo Rezaei (@theLionary) May 21, 2023
So there is no PA system here? @flySFO?! Are we really counting on one person shouting above the crowd?
“If that had really been an emergency…” … you really would have been screwed!#SFO #YouCantMakeThisUp #travelfun #KeepTrackOfYourBags pic.twitter.com/m3SSUwLMzR
— Christopher (@OceanTopher) May 21, 2023
Terminal 2 has an Alaska Airlines lounge and serves a number of other domestic airlines such as Delta and American Airlines.
Katie Dowd is the Editor-in-Chief of SFGATE.