A man arrested at Manchester airport has been taken to hospital for assessment after bomb disposal experts carried out a controlled explosion on a suspect package on Monday morning, and the airport interchange and surrounding offices were evacuated.

Police officers rushed to the airport’s transport hub in response to reports of a man acting erratically at around 7am. A witness told the Manchester Evening News that a naked man had been seen running in and out of the terminus, waving his arms in the air.

Bomb disposal experts destroyed a suspect bag found at the scene, in a controlled explosion just after 9.30am. Police later confirmed that the bag had not contained a viable device, and said there was no evidence to suggest the incident was related to terrorism.

Ch Insp Andy Sutcliffe said: “I appreciate that reports of today’s incident may have caused some concern but I can confirm that the matter has now been safely resolved and the area is returning to normal.

“Public safety is our top priority so a controlled explosion of a bag was carried out as a precaution before an inspection of the contents confirmed that there was no viable device or components inside.

“I want to stress that there is no evidence to suggest that this incident was terrorism related and I want to thank members of the public for their patience and support as we responded.”

Police cars and airport staff blocked off the roads leading to the transport hub and terminals one and two as trams, trains and buses were suspended for more than three hours.

An unmarked car and van arrived with sirens on at 9.34am, as traffic backed up leading to the airport’s terminals one and two. There were chaotic scenes at the airport as passengers unable to get close to the terminals owing to grid-locked traffic got out of their vehicles and walked along the duel carriageways with their luggage, with some scrambling down banks in an attempt to catch flights.