‘Flights Delayed, Don’t Go Back’: Passengers Evacuated From London’s Gatwick Airport

Last Updated:November 22, 2024, 17:27 IST

The Gatwick Airport evacuated a large part of its terminal as a precaution due to a security terminal, which is yet to be determined.

Hundreds of passengers were evacuated from Gatwick Airport in London, the UK’s second busiest, due to a “security incident”. The airport said a large part of its South Terminal has been evacuate while officials investigated the security incident.

“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. Safety and security of our passengers and staff remains our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible,” it said in a statement.

The Gatwick staff abruptly told passengers shortly after 10 am, “We’re evacuating, You’ve got to leave” as armed police guarded the security area following the discovery of a “suspected prohibited item in luggage”, according to The Mirror. Several passengers were apparently left in the dark about the fate of their journeys as flights were delayed.

“Flight is delayed further and being told not to go back to departure lounge but stay near the gates….no estimated time of departure yet. Still boarding to gate area so fingers crossed,” said one passenger on X.

“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8:20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage. As a precaution, the South Terminal has been evacuated to ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users while the matter is dealt with,” said a Sussex Police spokesperson.

Moreover, several rail services also announced that they would not stop at Gatwick Airport as the police investigate the incident there. “The station and airport are currently being evacuated. Services are able to run through the station and area but will not call at Gatwick airport at this time,” said the National Rail Enquiries website.

Notably, this came after British police officers carried out a controlled explosion near the American embassy in London after they found an abandoned and suspicious package outside the embassy. The Metropolitan Police force conducted the explosion after setting up cordons near the high-security site in Nine Elms, south of the River Thames.

“We can confirm that the ‘loud bang’ reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers. Enquiries are still ongoing and cordons will remain in place for the time being,” London’s Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.

The US embassy said the authorities were investigating the suspicious item found outside the building and police closed a road near the building out of “an abundance of caution”.

Location :

London, United Kingdom (UK)