CIA left explosives in Loudoun County school bus after training exercise

The CIA left “explosive training material” under the hood of a Loudoun County school bus after the agency conducted a training exercise last week during spring break. 

The bus was used to transport elementary and high school students to and from school for two days with the material hidden in the engine compartment, according to the CIA and Loudoun County officials.

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and the CIA said Thursday the explosive material was left behind after a training exercise at Briar Woods High School during spring break. The CIA said it was a training scenario for bomb-detecting dogs, The Washington Post reported.

Officials stressed that the material was very stable and “did not pose a danger to passengers on the bus,” which was used Monday and Tuesday.

Loudoun County Public Schools spokesman Wayde Byard said the explosives were a “putty-type” material designed for use on the battlefield and requires a special detonator.

He added that school bus drivers check under the hoods of their buses before they take them on the road, but the package of explosives was wedged up too far inside the engine and was the same color as the hoses in the engine compartment, so it could not easily be seen, The Post reported.

The bus made eight runs totaling 145 miles between Monday and Tuesday, carrying 26 students attending Rock Ridge High School, Buffalo Trail Elementary School and Pinebrook Elementary School.

A technician discovered the explosives while conducting routine maintenance on the bus, The Post reported.

The school system immediately notified the county sheriff’s office and the fire marshal, who removed it. The CIA also helped remove the material.

Officials said they checked all other buses at the school as a precaution.

School officials met Thursday with the CIA, the sheriff’s office, fire marshal and county administrators and determined that all law enforcement training exercises at schools would be suspended until stronger protocols are established.

“We’re all very upset by what happened, but we’re going to review everything that did happen,” Mr. Byard said, The Post reported. “Obviously we’re concerned. The CIA really expressed its deep concern and regret today, and it was sincere.”