Pepper spray error at Auckland International Airport sparks emergency response

An emergency response at Auckland International Airport was caused this afternoon when an official accidentally set off a can of pepper spray. Photo/ file

An emergency response at Auckland International Airport was caused this afternoon when an official accidentally set off a can of pepper spray.

A Fire Services spokesman told the Herald they were called to the first floor of the airport, air side, by the airport rescue team shortly after 2pm.

Firefighter were told pepper spray had been released and had since classed the incident as a "non event".

Civil Aviation Authority spokesman Mike Richards said the spray was left at a screening point by a passenger at international departures.

"A female passenger placed a bag of toiletries in a tray," he said.

"She then walked off leaving them at the screening point. The contents included prohibited pepper spray."

An official had picked the item up to test it and accidentally sprayed it.

"While senior managers were reviewing security video footage as they tried to identify the passenger, one of the officers at the screening point checked the canister.

"In doing this It released a small discharge which was noticed by some passengers and caused some people to cough."

Aviation security closed two screening lanes and deployed fans to disperse the spray.

No one needed medical treatment following the incident.

"It's important for passengers to remember that items that may be in everyday use have the potential to cause harm or injury in the confines of an aircraft cabin," Richards said.