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Germany airport hunt continues Germany airport search continues
(about 13 hours later)
Police are still hunting for a man who fled after his computer sparked a security alert at a German airport. Police are searching for a middle-aged man who fled after his computer sparked a security alert at a German airport.
Part of Munich airport was closed for hours on Wednesday as the traveller's laptop set off an explosives detector.Part of Munich airport was closed for hours on Wednesday as the traveller's laptop set off an explosives detector.
Some 1,000 police spent the evening scouring the airport for the man who hastily left the security area with his laptop as the alarm was raised. Some 1,000 police scoured the airport for the man, who hastily left the security area as the alarm was raised.
He may not have realised he was meant to undergo a further check, a police spokesman said. Police stress that they only want to talk to the man, who may just have been in a hurry to catch a plane and failed to realise more checks were needed.
Although the man was not found, police say they have a clear image of him on camera.
German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere described the incident as a serious security breach and ordered a thorough investigation.
Airports around the world have been on heightened alert since an alleged attempt to blow up a US airliner flying from Amsterdam to Detroit last month.Airports around the world have been on heightened alert since an alleged attempt to blow up a US airliner flying from Amsterdam to Detroit last month.
On Thursday, US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is in Spain to discuss European airport security with EU ministers.On Thursday, US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is in Spain to discuss European airport security with EU ministers.
Security questionedSecurity questioned
Wednesday's security breach was unacceptable, Germany's police union said, calling for a thorough investigation into security at German airports. Wednesday's security breach was unacceptable, Germany's police union said.
"If you're checking someone, you have to be able to hold onto him," Josef Scheuring, the union's chairman, told Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper."If you're checking someone, you have to be able to hold onto him," Josef Scheuring, the union's chairman, told Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.
Munich airport is the second busiest in GermanyMunich airport is the second busiest in Germany
Some 60 flights were delayed or cancelled as a result of the alert, which closed Germany's second busiest airport for three hours from 1530 (1430 GMT).Some 60 flights were delayed or cancelled as a result of the alert, which closed Germany's second busiest airport for three hours from 1530 (1430 GMT).
Initial reports said explosive traces had been found during the check. But federal police spokesman Albert Poerschke said later the activation of the alarm did not "have to mean that there were explosives inside" - the scanner may have been set off by chemicals such as perfumes. Initial reports said explosive traces had been found during the check.
Officials had wanted to check the computer again but the man had left, police said. But federal police spokesman Albert Poerschke said the activation of the alarm did not "have to mean that there were explosives inside" - the scanner may have been set off by chemicals such as perfumes.
It was possible he may not have realised further inspections were required, and had simply been in a hurry to catch a flight, they added. "We're searching for the man but I'd like to stress he is not wanted for any criminal matter," he said later, quoted by Reuters news agency.
"It was evidently a businessman who wanted to catch his plane. The man probably didn't even realise that he was being requested to stay for another laptop examination."
Munich airport is situated about 30km (20 miles) north-east of the city in southern Germany.Munich airport is situated about 30km (20 miles) north-east of the city in southern Germany.