With tensions running high after the US suicide plane attacks, Bermuda suffered a moment of terror yesterday as passengers ran screaming from the Airport when they thought they had seen smoke coming from a jet.

Hundreds of passengers on five US-bound flights diverted to Bermuda were waiting to board at 2.05 p.m. when panic ran through the terminal as tourists air-side believed smoke was billowing from a plane parked outside.

As they headed back into the departure terminal looking for the exits, some began screaming as Police tried calmly to evacuate the building.

Frightened passengers, staff, Police and Bermuda Regiment soldiers ran out the doors and waited across the road on the grass.

Ironically, the Regiment soldiers had begun to search bags in the terminal seconds before the scare.

The panic was caused when a Air Services Bermuda high loader, which was providing catering for a Continental jet, sprang a leak of hydraulic fuel.

When this leaks at pressure it looks like smoke.

Celia Mora from Bar-celona, on the diverted American Airlines Madrid to Miami flight, said: "It was very frightening. The panic is the worst thing."

Passengers reacted angrily because this was the second time they had been taken from their hotels to fly out of Bermuda, they still did not know if they would be leaving, and now the airport appeared unsafe.

Diane Seifi, who was on the same flight, said: "It's so stupid!

"Leave us in a place that's safe until everything is safe.

"Why put us through all of this? It's like they enjoy putting people through hell. I've never seen anything so stupid in my life. Leave us in the stupid hotel. Even the Police were running as well. I can't take it, I'll have a damn heart attack before I leave here."

Her husband Majeed added: "It's very unorganised. I wished they would get everything under control first before they move anyone to the airport. When we got here from the hotel, the bus was stoppd and they said they didn't know if we we were going out. It's hot in the bus.

"Five minutes later they said we might be leaving for the hotel. I know the situation is tense, but they should leave everyone in the hotel until they have everything sorted out. Maybe they're not experienced."

Acting Airport operations manager Michael Osborn saidlater: "One of the ASB high loaders was servicing Continental's flight when it experienced a hydraulic leak.

"When hydraulic fuel leaks out it does so under pressure giving the appearance of smoke.

"For a few minutes this caused some until the reason was established.

"Some people in US departures could see this and they assumed it was smoke and started to evacuate the area."