A major security lapse was reported at Nedumbassery airport in Cochin on Sunday morning after explosive chemical material was found on board Kingfisher Airline flight no 2482.

The flight was detained for two hours while a thorough check was carried out after smoke was seen emanating from the cargo of the flight.

It was found that a box addressed to a detergent company in Chennai contained boric acid and other chemicals which could have caused an explosion. The courier company which had dispatched the box said they were not aware of the presence of boric acid in the cargo.

Nedumbassery Airport Director A C K Nair has ordered a thorough investigation into the security lapse at the airport. A three member commission will be conducting a through probe into the incident.