LaGuardia Airport Evacuated Over Suspicious Package, Later Deemed Harmless

LaGuardia Airport was partially evacuated Tuesday morning after officials discovered a suspicious package, authorities in New York said.

The package was found on the third floor of the Central Terminal Building outside the security barrier overlooking a food court, according to a Port Authority spokeswoman.

Special: Should the Supreme Court Legalize Gay Marriage? Vote in Urgent Poll.

LaGuardia's Terminal B was subsequently evacuated, an FAA spokesman confirmed.

Around 11:30 a.m., Port Authority officials announced the package was not an explosive device, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The package contained "some kind of light ballast," officials said. Ballast is a gravel-like material used in vessels to give them stability.

No further details were released.

Passengers who had already undergone security inspections were not affected by the evacuation and were allowed to board their flights and leave the airport, a Port Authority spokesman said.

Travelers who had yet to be inspected were cleared from the terminal and were left waiting on the street outside the airport.

The reported suspicious package was one of several spotted around New York City Monday.

A suspicious package was also reported on 42nd Street between 8th and 9th Avenues near NYC's Port Authority. The bag turned out to belong to a homeless woman, according to nearby 7-Eleven Manager Dilip Caauahari.

New Yorkers have been hyper-aware since the fatal bombings during the Boston Marathon on Monday. Twin explosions near the race's finish line killed three and wounded countless others.

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly are scheduled to address the media about increased security Tuesday afternoon, The Journal reported.