The incident happened just 24 hours after airports across The Bahamas were put on high alert following a foiled terror plot in the UK.
A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made it clear that the crash had nothing to do with Thursday’s terror scare which saw British authorities uncover a plan to blow up 10 jetliners on route from the UK to the US. In a press release issued today officials said, “Passengers travelling to the United States from New Providence will have to clear US Immigration and Customs in the United States until the matter is resolved.”
Meanwhile the ban on suntan lotions, toothpaste and other liquid-based items is still in effect. Passengers arriving today in Nassau complained of long lines due to additional checkpoints at some airports. “People were being let through 25 at a time,” one passenger from New York said. She added that she was a bit surprised at some of the items that were being confiscated such as baby powder, Kleenex and other items which had not been mentioned in the news.
There were mixed reactions to the ban as some people felt that “officials were over- doing it.”
There were additional reports of massive cancellations of flights in airports throughout the US. Bahamians returning on British Airways yesterday also commented on the numerous cancellations and chaotic scenes at the airport in London. “It’s a bit traumatic for the kids but I think that the extra precautions are necessary,” said a tourist from England.
Passengers are still being asked to comply with the protocols that have been put in place to safeguard the lives of people travelling to and from international destinations. The measures according to officials will require longer waits at the airport.
In the meantime, security levels in the UK remain high.
By: Nadine Thomas-Brown, The Nassau Guardian
