29-03-2024 07:30 AM Jerusalem Timing

Dutch Probe Airport Security Scare, Man Still Held

Dutch Probe Airport Security Scare, Man Still Held

Dutch military police were Wednesday investigating a major security alert triggered overnight at Amsterdam’s busy international airport, with one man still in custody.

Dutch military police were Wednesday investigating a major security alert triggered overnight at Amsterdam's busy international airport, with one man still in custody.

Dozens of heavily-armed military police had swooped on Schiphol airport, evacuating hundreds of people late Tuesday from public areas after receiving a tip-off about a "suspicious situation."Dutch military police

The scare at one of Europe's busiest travel hubs with flight links around the world came exactly three weeks after the March 22 attacks on the Brussels airport and metro which left 32 people dead.

But it remained unclear exactly what was behind the late-night security sweep, after the Dutch bomb squad found nothing suspicious in the luggage of the arrested man.

"The man arrested in the suspicious situation in #Schiphol still in custody," the military police, said on their Twitter account.

They added they were "investigating" and would provide an update later in the day.
The man's identity has not been revealed.

No flights were disrupted during the operation, and the airport authorities confirmed no disruptions were expected on Wednesday.

Tensions have been high since last month's attacks in neighboring Belgium, which like the November attacks in Paris, were claimed by ISIL Takfiri group.

There have been concerns that the Netherlands could be targeted in a terror attack, due to its proximity to both Belgium and France.

Dutch F-16 fighter jets have also broadened the country's mission in the US-led air campaign against ISIL, bombing extremist targets in Syria since February.
As a precaution, the government stepped up security at national airports and train stations and tightened controls on its southern border with Belgium.