A pair of potentially dangerous events transpired in the Atlanta area this morning as authorities are investigating a small explosion that occurred at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and an inconclusive bomb threat at the state Capitol.
Early this morning, an explosion occurred at Concourse D of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The concourse was immediately evacuated and the situation is still being investigated.
No casualties or injuries have been reported.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, this small explosion occurred around 8:40 a.m. in a ramp-level maintenance shop near Gate D-21. Planes and passengers were then immediately redirected to Concourse E.
After thorough investigation, the concourse was reopened around 10:00 a.m.
Additionally, there was a bomb threat made at 47 Trinity Ave., also known as the Health Building, at 9:00 a.m. this morning, and, according to the Georgia State Patrol Public Information Office, an evacuation was issued soon thereafter.
This building also houses the Department of Education, the Georgia Building Authority, Georgia Technology Authority and several other transportation agencies.
According to the Georgia State Patrol Public Information Office, several of the other surrounding buildings at the Capitol were evacuated as well, including the Judicial Building and the Coverdell Legislative Office Building.
However, Capitol Police reported that the only two buildings that were, “officially evacuated,” were the 47 Trinity and 40 Capitol Square buildings.
As of 10:30 this morning, the buildings remained evacuated, but the source and legitimacy of the bomb threat were still under investigation.
Police with bomb squad dogs scoured the buildings for any trace of evidence and any potentially incendiary devices, but were unable to find any.
The buildings were then reopened shorty before 11 a.m.
The explosion at Hartsfield-Jackson and the bomb threat at 47 Trinity appear to be isolated events at this point, but the investigation is still ongoing.
As of right now, according to Georgia State officials, on-campus events are proceeding as normal. No evacuations or warnings have been officially issued at this time.
