MIAMI -- The Miami-Dade Police Department’s specialized bomb squad was checking out a “suspicious” item in a carry-on bag at checkpoint J in the South Terminal of Miami International Airport late Monday morning.

Airport Director Jose Abreu said the security checkpoint and all nearby ticket counters have been evacuated, and passengers rushing to travel for Christmas are being rerouted to checkpoints J and H, also in the South Terminal.

The terminal serves mostly foreign carriers. Abreu called the item a “suspicious object,” and said the bomb squad was on the scene.

A Transportation Security Administration worker found the object inside passenger luggage. Abreu said he believes the person is being interviewed by authorities.

Monday is one of the busiest days of the year, said Abreu. The airport expects more than 100,000 passengers.