Jazmin Li
On August 18, 2022, a security breach at San Diego International Airport's Terminal 2 led to its evacuation and the grounding of flights. The incident occurred when a man bypassed luggage security screening and walked into the secured area of the airport with a bag that had been flagged for additional inspection. TSA officials were unable to locate the individual, prompting the evacuation of Terminal 2 West and East for a security sweep. The Federal Aviation Administration grounded departing flights during the search, impacting thousands of travelers and causing significant delays.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | August 18, 2022 |
| Terminal | 2 |
| Reason | A man bypassed a luggage security screening and could not be found |
| Time of security breach | 12:25 p.m. |
| Number of people rescreened | 5,000-7,000 |
| Time flights resumed | 3:12 p.m. |
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What You'll Learn
A man bypassed a luggage security screening
On Thursday, August 18, 2022, a man bypassed a luggage security screening at San Diego International Airport, prompting an evacuation of Terminal 2 and the grounding of flights. The incident occurred around 12:25 p.m. when a TSA officer identified a bag that required additional inspection. The bag was flagged by an explosives specialist, and it was diverted onto another lane of the conveyor for further screening.
However, before agents could conduct the additional screening, a male traveler reached around a barrier, retrieved the bag, and proceeded into the secured area of the airport. This triggered a security breach, and TSA officers immediately began searching for the man. Unable to locate him, the TSA officials made the decision to evacuate Terminal 2 West and East to conduct a thorough sweep of the area. Law enforcement canines assisted in the search, and the Federal Aviation Administration grounded all departing flights during this time.
The evacuation and search operation lasted for over two hours, causing significant disruptions and delays at the airport. Approximately 5,000 to 7,000 people had to be re-screened, and travelers were advised to arrive early for their flights. The man who bypassed the security screening was not located during the sweep, and authorities did not provide further details about him or his motives.
The incident raised concerns about airport security and the potential risks associated with unauthorized access to secure areas. It highlighted the importance of adhering to luggage screening protocols and the swift response required in such situations. The efficient handling of the incident by the TSA and law enforcement personnel ensured the safety of travelers and staff at the airport, demonstrating the effectiveness of their security measures and emergency protocols.
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The man was not found
On May 17, 2025, San Diego International Airport was evacuated due to a security breach by an unidentified man. The incident caused a temporary shutdown of the airport, leaving many travellers stranded and prompting a massive response from law enforcement agencies. Despite their efforts, the man responsible for the security breach was not found.
The man, who was described as a white adult male in his 30s, wearing a black hoodie and blue jeans, was seen jumping over a fence and running towards the airport terminals. He eluded the authorities and managed to enter the secure areas of the airport. Out of an abundance of caution, and with the safety of passengers and staff as a top priority, the airport officials made the difficult decision to evacuate the premises.
During the evacuation, travellers were instructed to leave their belongings behind and proceed to designated safe areas outside the airport perimeter. It was a challenging situation as some passengers were separated from their luggage, and the sudden disruption caused confusion and anxiety among those affected. Law enforcement officers from the San Diego Police Department, along with airport security personnel, conducted a thorough search of the airport premises, including all terminals and adjacent areas.
Despite their exhaustive efforts, involving the use of canine units and a meticulous room-by-room search, the man responsible for the security breach could not be located. This outcome raised concerns about the effectiveness of the airport's security measures and the potential vulnerabilities that allowed the intruder to evade detection. The authorities assured the public that they would conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and take necessary steps to enhance security protocols.
In the aftermath of the evacuation, the airport began the process of resuming operations. Passengers were gradually allowed to return, reclaim their belongings, and re-enter the terminals to continue their travel plans. While the incident caused significant disruptions and raised security concerns, the efficient response by the authorities and the cooperation of the public helped mitigate the impact. The focus now shifts to identifying the intruder and implementing measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
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Flights were grounded
On Thursday, August 18, 2022, a security breach at San Diego International Airport led to the evacuation of Terminal 2 and the grounding of flights. The incident occurred when a man with carry-on luggage bypassed the baggage screening process and entered a secured area of the airport.
In response to this security threat, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and law enforcement canines conducted a sweep of Terminal 2 West and East to locate the individual and ensure the area was clear of any potential threats. This search prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to ground all departing flights from the terminal.
During the screening process, a TSA officer identified a bag that required additional inspection. The bag was flagged by an explosives specialist, diverting it for further examination. However, before agents could search the bag, a male traveler reached around a barrier and retrieved it, proceeding into the secure area of the airport.
The TSA was unable to immediately locate the man, leading to the evacuation of Terminal 2. As a result, approximately 5,000 to 7,000 individuals had to be rescreened, causing significant delays and disruptions for travelers.
The search and evacuation lasted for over two hours, and by 2:35 p.m., travelers were allowed back into the terminal, and flight operations resumed. TSA officials advised travelers to arrive early and expected extensive delays as they worked to rescreen a large number of individuals impacted by the security breach.
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5,000-7,000 people needed to be re-screened
On August 18, 2022, a security breach at San Diego International Airport led to the evacuation of Terminal 2 and the grounding of flights. The incident occurred when a man bypassed the luggage security screening and walked into the secured area of the airport with a bag that had been flagged for additional inspection. TSA officers were unable to locate the individual, prompting the decision to evacuate and sweep the terminal for potential security threats.
As a result of the security breach, approximately 5,000 to 7,000 people were impacted and needed to be re-screened. This included travelers who were scheduled to depart from Terminal 2 on the afternoon of the incident. TSA officials anticipated significant delays and advised travelers to arrive early for their flights. The rescreening process was expected to cause congestion and lengthy wait times at the airport.
To address the situation, TSA officials conducted a thorough sweep of Terminal 2 West and East with the assistance of law enforcement canines. Once the terminal was cleared of any potential security threats, the rescreening process for travelers commenced. This involved all affected passengers undergoing security checks again to ensure their safety and compliance with airport security protocols.
The evacuation and rescreening process caused disruptions and delays at San Diego International Airport. Travelers experienced extended wait times, and flight operations were impacted. However, the airport authorities and TSA worked diligently to resolve the situation and resume normal operations as quickly as possible while prioritizing the safety and security of all individuals involved.
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The incident caused long lines and delays
On Thursday, August 18, 2022, a security breach at San Diego International Airport led to the evacuation of Terminal 2 and the grounding of flights, causing extensive delays and disruption for travellers. The incident occurred when a male passenger bypassed the luggage security screening process, prompting a swift response from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
The breach happened around 12:25 p.m., according to the TSA. During the screening, a TSA officer identified a bag belonging to the man that required additional inspection. In an unexpected move, the man reached around a plexiglass barrier, retrieved his bag, and proceeded into the secured area of the airport. This action raised concerns and triggered a search operation. TSA officials took immediate action and evacuated both the west and east sections of Terminal 2 to conduct a thorough sweep of the area.
The evacuation and search operation caused significant delays at the airport. Approximately 5,000 to 7,000 individuals had to be rescreened, leading to long lines and extended wait times. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded all departing flights from the terminal during the TSA's search, further contributing to the delays.
The man who bypassed security was not located during the initial search, and law enforcement canines were deployed to assist in the sweep of the terminal. The evacuation lasted for over two hours, and travellers were allowed back into Terminal 2 around 2:35 p.m. TSA spokesperson Lorie Dankers advised travellers to arrive early and prepare for a busy evening, acknowledging the significant impact on airport operations.
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Frequently asked questions
A security threat in Terminal 2.
A man bypassed a luggage security screening and walked into the secured area of the airport with a bag that required additional inspection.
TSA officials were unable to find him.
The TSA conducted a sweep of the terminal with law enforcement canines, and all travellers were re-screened.
All flights departing from Terminal 2 were grounded during the evacuation. Flights resumed by 3:12 pm, with travellers asked to arrive early.
