Manchester Airport
Manchester Airport's Terminal 2 was evacuated on 18 August, 2016, following reports of a suspicious package found outside the terminal building. Twitter / @TommyjOx

Manchester Airport's Terminal 2 has re-opened to the public, hours after it was evacuated when a suspicious package was found outside the terminal building on Thursday 18 August.

The Manchester Evening News reported that the 'suspect bag' was found at the front of the building with the carrier last seen at the drop-off area between 6pm and 7pm GMT. Following investigations, the airport deemed that the package "posed no threat" and lifted the cordon at around 9pm GMT.

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A police statement, issued later in the evening, also confirmed that the bag was deemed to be non-suspicious.

Superintendent Mark Kenny of Greater Manchester Police said: "Due to the circumstances this evening, it was appropriate to evacuate the terminal to ensure the safety of staff and the public. We contained the situation and dealt with the suspicious bag as quickly as possible so there was minimal disruption to the airport and the public.

"I would like to thank the public for their patience and cooperation," Kenny added.

The arrivals area of the airport is believed to have been unaffected and flights to and from other terminals operated normally. The airport cordoned off the bag and surrounding area 'as a precaution'

A statement on Manchester Airport's official Twitter account read: "Thanks for bringing this to our attention, we have people looking into this."

Passenger Khawer Ishtiaq wrote on Twitter: "Just been told by a member of staff that a package has tested positive for a device twice at #T2 - departures evacuated." Before he added: "member of staff just told me that bomb squad are on their way".

Another Twitter user wrote: "Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport was getting evacuated. We got turned away when trying to get back in." Whilst other tweeted the airport directly: "@manairport what's occurring at T2 – we've been made to evacuate arrivals hall??"

Another tweet read: "Just at Manchester Airport, went to the toilet came out and everyone has vanished. Very freaky whats happening?"