Hamburg airport reopens after unknown toxin alert

German authorities briefly closed Helmut Schmidt Airport in the northern city of Hamburg on Sunday after a discharge of a corrosive substance caused eye irritation and breathing difficulties among 50 people in a security check area, a police spokeswoman said.

Firefighters and ambulances were rushed to the scene after the incident, which occurred in an area where passenger luggage is scanned by security staff.

Firefighters are trying to determine the source of the discharge and the nature of the corrosive substance.

Some passengers were rushed outside the terminal but were allowed back in shortly after, the police spokeswoman said. Those who had been evacuated had to wait outside the terminal in sub-zero temperatures.