A US man was detained Tuesday after ammunition parts in his luggage exploded as baggage handlers were moving it from one plane to another at Miami airport, officials said.
The Miami-Dade bomb squad responded after the explosion, which took place as a baggage handler was taking luggage off of American Airlines flight 2585, which had just arrived from Boston, they said.
The FBI said the 37-year-old man was a US citizen whose luggage contained several hundred primers, which ignite the powder charge in a cartridge. He is being charged with traveling without a license to carry ammunition.
The bag apparently exploded after the handler placed it on the ground, sparking a primer inside and setting off a chain reaction.
"Local law enforcement disrupted the bag and determined that it contained firearm parts. There were no injuries and the scene has been cleared," the Transportation Security Administration said in a statement.
"The passenger is currently being interviewed by law enforcement."
The passenger and his luggage had already flown from Boston to Miami and were headed for Jamaica, according to local media.
Under US law, passengers are allowed to pack guns and ammunition in their checked luggage, but it is illegal to have primers, black powder or percussion caps.
© Copyright AFP Agence France-Presse GmbH - All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed. All reproduction or redistribution is expressly forbidden without the prior written agreement of AFP.
BUSINESS ONLINE CATALOG
