Sewage Soaks Scores Of Suitcases At Nashville International Airport

NASHVILLE, TN — Hundreds of pieces of luggage were inundated by sewage at Nashville International Thursday, forcing flight delays at the airport.

The airport reported that toilets in a women's bathroom overflowed at 5 a.m., sending a torrent of sewage onto the baggage of 380 Southwest Airlines passengers. (For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Middle Tennessee Patch morning newsletter.)

Airport officials said someone stuffed paper towels down the toilets, causing them to overflow, flooding the floor and sending water down through the floor and on to the luggage, which was passing underneath on a conveyor belt.

The plumbing problem delayed the departure of ten flights. An environmental team was called in to clean up, but the airport says no one was exposed.

A similar leak occurred in early June, though not as widespread. The airport is looking at what changes can be made to the drainage system to prevent another occurrence.

Image via Metropolitan Airport Authority