Bomb scare at Andrews Airforce Base

Washington, May 13: Andrews Airforce Base, the highly secured airfield which is home to the US President's Air Force One was under a lock down after a woman claimed to have a bomb strapped to her chest.

The incident happened around 5.15 pm when a woman walked into the Visitor Control Center on Joint Base Andrews (JBA) and claimed to have a bomb strapped to her chest. The base, used by the US President, foreign dignitaries and other VVIPs, was immediately put under lockdown.

"Once emergency responders arrived, the individual was apprehended and an EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) team determined no explosive device was on-scene," Col Brad Hoagland, 11th Wing and JBA commander, said on the JBA twitter account.

"Fortunately, this incident was diffused quickly and was determined to be a false-alarm," Hoagland said. Soon thereafter the lockdown was lifted.

"The situation has been diffused; emergency personnel continue to secure the area and all base residents should avoid the area," he said.

During the time of the incident, the base had no scheduled arrival or departure of flights. There was no impact on civilian property or businesses in the area.

PTI