Berlin Airport evacuates Terminal 1 after woman reports toxic substances in handbag

Evacuation and initial response at Terminal 1

Federal police, who oversee transport security across German aviation hubs, ordered the evacuation of Terminal 1 at Berlin Brandenburg Airport on Thursday evening, September 3, 2026. The emergency response began after an unidentified woman rode an escalator up to the Federal Police service point located inside the passenger terminal. Upon approaching the service desk, the woman informed officers that she was carrying toxic and dangerous substances inside her handbag. Federal police officers moved swiftly to overpower the woman, placed her under arrest, and established an exclusion zone around the unattended bag. Authorities activated a hazardous materials alert across the facility, broadcasting instructions over the public address system requiring all passengers and airport personnel to leave the building immediately.

Hazardous materials deployment and crisis management

Specialized emergency crews deployed to Terminal 1 to determine the chemical properties of the reported substance and establish how it entered the facility. Multiple fire departments from the neighboring Dahme-Spreewald district joined the airport fire service, dispatching personnel in full protective suits equipped with specialized testing instruments. Airport leadership convened the emergency operations centre, a dedicated crisis protocol triggered solely for severe and complex incidents that exceed routine operational management. Police officials noted that the detained woman had not articulated any verbal threats during her encounter with officers. Investigators emphasized that terminal access restrictions would remain in force until forensic specialists confirmed whether the contents of the bag posed a real danger to the public.

A potential threat from the unidentified substance could not be ruled out.

Flight disruptions and terminal reallocations

The evacuation caused significant operational disruption across the airport, forcing thousands of travelers to assemble outside the lower-level entrances alongside arriving emergency response vehicles. Berlin Brandenburg Airport spokeswoman Sabine Deckwerth announced that passenger check-in and handling procedures were being redirected to Terminal 2 where possible to keep air traffic moving. Flight departure boards around 7:00 p.m. local time recorded growing delays for services originating from Terminal 1, alongside selective flight cancellations and temporary halts to boarding. Berlin Brandenburg Airport, also designated as Willy Brandt Airport in Schönefeld, opened in 2020 as Germany's third-busiest airport, handling roughly 26 million passengers annually and accommodating official German federal government flights.

Regional railway and transit closures

The security measures quickly impacted the regional transport network, cutting off passenger rail connections directly beneath the airport terminal. Deutsche Bahn suspended all regional express and long-distance passenger train services from stopping at the BER airport underground station. S-Bahn Berlin halted commuter train traffic on lines S9 and S85 along the corridor between Schönefeld station and the airport terminal. Transit authorities and emergency personnel worked to calm waiting travelers as specialized teams continued testing the contents of the handbag inside the cordoned area. Access restrictions to Terminal 1 and surrounding transit platforms remained active into Thursday night as the forensic examination proceeded.