THE LATEST:
Authorities did call the departing Delta flight back to the gate after they found the bag, although the flight is now on its way to Richmond, Va. Officials say they are questioning a passenger from that flight, although at this point, they don’t believe it was anything serious.
PREVIOUSLY:
Officials partially evacuated Terminal C at LaGuardia Airport this afternoon. Reports about why the evacuation took place are conflicting. Some sources report that someone noticed smoke coming from a bag, while others, like ABC Local, report that a baggage handler was worried because a bag seemed overly warm. A spokesman for the Port Authority told the Associated Press (reported via The Wall Street Journal) that they made the call not long before noon Eastern today.
He said they moved the bag to a remote location as Delta Flight 5208 prepared to depart from the gate and head to Richmond, Va. The flight is taking off as planned and heading for its original destination, although officials did not load the bag in question onto the plane.
This is a developing story. We will provide more details as soon as the information becomes available.
