A terrible incident at the Orlando International Airport has caused several flights to be canceled and numerous gates temporarily closed. According to reports, passengers who witnessed the incident ran away in shock as a body lay lifeless on the tarmac. A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer apparently jumped to his death in what seemed to be a suicide, authorities say.
The TSA officer reportedly jumped from the balcony in one of the buildings of Florida's busiest airports. Those who witnessed the employee jump to his death were shocked by the event, with some immediately running away in panic. The incident caused major security checkpoints at the airport to be closed and several flights had to be canceled until the situation was placed under control.
Airport officials immediately released a statement and mentioned that at no point were the passengers placed in any danger. Officials also revealed that several airlines, including Air Canada, Delta, and Southwest Airlines, had to cancel their flights. Shortly after the incident, Southwest Airlines had to cancel 49 inbound flights and 45 outbound flights. The canceled departures and arrivals resulted in thousands of stranded passengers. The incident occurred on a Saturday, one of the busiest times of the week for the airport.
Police investigators later revealed that the TSA officer, a man in his 40s, had jumped from an Airport hotel balcony and landed onto the floor of an atrium filled with passengers. Fortunately, no passengers were hit when the TSA officer landed. Responders immediately brought the officer to the hospital, but he was later pronounced dead on arrival. Several of the panicked passengers went pass checkpoints during the commotion, but they were later returned to undergo security checks.
Airport officers and police conducted a sweep of the entire area as a precautionary measure. Gates had to be closed until security measures were put back in place. Airport officials and some politicians gave their condolences to the TSA officer's families, while some outright blamed the ongoing government shutdown as the cause of the suicide. Government workers have had to continue doing their jobs without any pay during the shutdown. TSA officers, in particular, have not received any of their salaries for over 35 days. A link between the officer's lack of pay and his decision to end his life has of course not been established, but some people on social media have pointed out the possible connection. Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the man's suicide. They are also trying to get in touch with his family to inform them of the tragedy.
