Authorities at Australia's Melbourne Airport closed a terminal on Monday morning (21 February) after more than 50 people became ill.

The Virgin Blue domestic terminal was evacuated when dozens of people, mostly airline and security staff, suffered nausea, vomiting, dizziness and respiratory problems. Around 45 people were taken to hospital.

The cause of the illness is not yet known but a chemical leak was suspected.

The terminal was closed for about nine hours, forcing the cancellation of all Virgin Blue flights scheduled to depart from the airport, while passengers on arriving flights were taken to another terminal.