Unattended luggage leads to mass evacuation at Miami airport

Hundreds of people were evacuated from Miami International Airport after a suspicious item was reported and later determined to be unattended luggage, according to authorities and local media.

Deputies responded shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday to the South Terminal departures area near Door 21, where the luggage was found, according to Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. As a precaution, authorities evacuated everyone in the immediate area.

NBC 6 South Florida reported earlier that authorities closed TSA security checkpoints for concourses G, H, and J, along with the curbside roadway, while the item was investigated.

The sheriff’s office said its bomb squad was called to the scene. Officials said there were no reported injuries during the evacuation.

Eyewitness Patrick Emad said people were being told to “move as far away from the building as possible” as authorities cleared the area.

Videos posted on social media showed large crowds gathered outside the terminal areas as the evacuation continued.

Crazy situation at the Miami airport now. Just as I checked in and was about to go towards security, there was some kind of “pop” and a huge panic started. Everyone started to run for the exits.

They’re now emptying the whole airport. Must be over 10,000 people outside now.… pic.twitter.com/hF4VazHNIG

— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) January 25, 2026