Plane evacuated after white powder found

A plane was evacuated at Christchurch Airport, New Zealand, after a white substance was found at the back of the aircraft.

According to 3 News, police say the substance was found on several bags in the Air New Zealand A320 aircraft while it was being offloaded.

Firefighters and the Army Bomb Disposal Unit were called to the airport but examinations have found that the powder poses no threat.

A police spokeswoman said the bomb disposal unit examined the quarantined plane and found the white powder was an "innocuous substance" shortly after 12.30pm.

However, she said it was not known exactly what the substance was, reports Stuff.co.nz.

An airport spokeswoman said the plane's passengers had been asked to disembark as a precaution and a quarantine area had been set up around the aircraft.

Passengers travelling through Christchurch are urged to check with their airline as to whether their flight has been affected.

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