Hundreds evacuated from Hamburg Airport after 'pepper spray canister set off'

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Hundreds of people were evacuated from Hamburg Airport in Germany after dozens of people were affected by a toxin.

German media later reported that the fire service had found a pepper spray canister in a rubbish bin and that this had gone off and been sucked into the air conditioning unit, spreading it through the airport.

German firefighters evacuated 50 people - both passengers and staff - who complained about breathing problems, nausea and burning eyes on Sunday afternoon.

Ambulances were seen outside the airport in Germany. Credit: AP

All flights were halted for several hours due to the evacuation, but air traffic started running again at 2pm, airport spokeswoman Karen Stein.

The substance leaked in the security check area, a police spokeswoman said.

Those who were evacuated from the airport had to wait outside in freezing temperatures.

People waited outside in sub-zero temperatures. Credit: AP

Firefighters designated special areas outside the airport building for those affected to be treated.

According to a flight tracking website, some flights were diverted to other airports after the incident.