TSA Checkpoint
Critics have long complained that the backscatter body scanners expose passengers to a small dose of ionizing radiation, which at higher levels has been linked to cancer. Reuters/Danny Moloshok

A terminal at New York's John F. Kennedy (JFK) airport was evacuated for two hours Friday morning following a breach in security.

Police are searching for an individual who got through security at JFK's British Airways terminal without proper screening.

This morning at approximately 5:22 a.m. local time at John F. Kennedy International Airport, a passenger exited the checkpoint at Terminal 7 before completing the screening process, TSA spokesman Kawika Riley told IBTimes. In an abundance of caution, a decision was made to clear the terminal, re-screen passengers, and sweep the area.

Authorities continue to look for the individual after re-screening all passengers. It was not immediately known where the flagged passenger was headed.

Passengers began boarding flights again at around 7:30 a.m., Riley said. There remained residual delays.

New york city Security