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Gatwick terminal evacuated over suspect luggage | |
(33 minutes later) | |
A section of Gatwick Airport has been evacuated due to a security incident | A section of Gatwick Airport has been evacuated due to a security incident |
A large section of one of Gatwick Airport's two terminals has been evacuated after a suspected prohibited item was found in a piece of luggage. | |
Passengers have been unable to enter the South Terminal since 10:55 GMT. | Passengers have been unable to enter the South Terminal since 10:55 GMT. |
“Safety and security of our passengers and staff remains our top priority,” an airport spokesperson said. | |
Sussex Police said an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team had been deployed as a precaution. | |
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with,” a police spokesperson said. | |
“This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We'd advise the public to avoid the area where possible.” | |
Live: Gatwick Airport evacuates terminal following security incident | |
The airport, in West Sussex, said the evacuation was a precaution while it continued to investigate. | The airport, in West Sussex, said the evacuation was a precaution while it continued to investigate. |
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing,” the airport spokesperson said. | |
“We are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.” | “We are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.” |
Railway services are also not stopping at Gatwick Airport station until approximately 14:00 GMT, National Rail Enquiries said. | |
A Southern spokesperson advised passengers not to travel to Gatwick. | A Southern spokesperson advised passengers not to travel to Gatwick. |
“At present, the station and airport are being evacuated whilst the police are dealing with an incident,” they said. | “At present, the station and airport are being evacuated whilst the police are dealing with an incident,” they said. |
Thameslink, Southern and Gatwick Express services are being affected. | |
'Waiting with no guarantees' | 'Waiting with no guarantees' |
Laurence Kemball-Cook, who was due to fly Portugal, said he and his family faced delays of up to 90 minutes getting through security. | Laurence Kemball-Cook, who was due to fly Portugal, said he and his family faced delays of up to 90 minutes getting through security. |
“We were sitting there waiting for a slightly delayed flight and one of the staff rushes over and says ‘you’ve got to evacuate right now’. So I sprinted down the corridor, picked up my partner and the baby, who were changing, and then they were rushing everyone out the main terminal,” he said. | “We were sitting there waiting for a slightly delayed flight and one of the staff rushes over and says ‘you’ve got to evacuate right now’. So I sprinted down the corridor, picked up my partner and the baby, who were changing, and then they were rushing everyone out the main terminal,” he said. |
“We are now waiting with no guarantees of when it’s going to leave. | “We are now waiting with no guarantees of when it’s going to leave. |
"I can see the plane but it looks like the whole airport is shut and no-one, none of the police, will say anything to us.” | |
London Victoria railway station is advising those travelling to avoid heading to Gatwick Airport | |
Local bus services have also been affected and are unable to run to Gatwick, according to Southern. | Local bus services have also been affected and are unable to run to Gatwick, according to Southern. |
“We've also been advised of local road closures too, so if you are driving to the airport, please be aware of this when planning your journey,” a spokesperson said. | “We've also been advised of local road closures too, so if you are driving to the airport, please be aware of this when planning your journey,” a spokesperson said. |
London Victoria railway station is advising also those travelling to avoid heading to Gatwick Airport. | |
Station announcements and screens are advising the public to not travel towards the area and to wait at Victoria Station. | |
The north terminal is unaffected by the evacuation. | |
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