Nerve agent powder discovered in passenger's bag at Incheon Airport

Social Affairs

Published: 23 May. 2024, 12:43 Updated: 23 May. 2024, 19:17

Nerve agent powder discovered in passenger's bag at Incheon Airport

Main picture: First responders handling chemical hazards conduct safety measures in Incheon International Airport in Incheon on Thursday. Inset: Military personnel conduct safety checks. [INCHEON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CORPORATION]

Military authorities and police are analyzing nerve agent powder found at Incheon International Airport on Thursday.

The nerve agent, or organophosphates, can poison people through airborne particles.

According to the airport's police, unidentified black powder was discovered in the carry-on bag of a passenger in her 20s who was next to the check-in counter at Terminal 1 at 6:30 a.m. on the same day.

She found unknown materials inside a black pouch in her bag and reported it to police. She told authorities that there were “powdery materials that look like ground coffee.”

Upon her report, first responders handling chemical hazards and fire agency personnel specializing in the disposal of unidentified explosives arrived at the airport and secured 65 grams (2.3 ounces) of the substance.

Military personnel specializing in disposing explosives conduct safety checks at Incheon International Airport in Incheon on Thursday. [INCHEON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CORPORATION]

The initial on-site screening suggested that the compound could potentially activate people’s nervous systems in a toxic manner. Then, police requested a more detailed analysis of the powdery substance by a military unit handling chemical, biological and radiological issues.

Regarding the possibility of biochemical terrorism, the police said it appears to be "less likely" and a detailed analysis is underway.

No casualties or damages have been reported.

The passenger was set to board a plane bound for New York at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday. However, as the discovery of the chemical compound impacted her flight schedule, she "plans to depart on Friday."

BY CHO MOON-GYU, LEE SOO-JUNG [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]