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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Gatwick terminal evacuated over suspect luggage | Gatwick terminal evacuated over suspect luggage |
| (31 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. | 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. | “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. | 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. | “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.” | “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.” |
| '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. | |
| “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. | |
| "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.” | |
| A security cordon has been put in place at Gatwick's South Terminal | |
| 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. | “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.” |
| Live: Gatwick Airport evacuates terminal following security incident | |
| Railway services are also not stopping at Gatwick Airport station until approximately 14:00 GMT, National Rail Enquiries said. | 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. | Thameslink, Southern and Gatwick Express services are being affected. |
| National Highways said there were long delays from junction 9 of the M23 on the approach to Gatwick. | |
| London Victoria railway station is advising those travelling to avoid heading to Gatwick Airport | 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. | 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. | 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. | The north terminal is unaffected by the evacuation. |
| 'Crowds building up' | |
| Meanwhile, travel journalist Simon Calder said about 100,000 passengers would be flying in and out of Gatwick Airport today. | |
| About half of those passengers would be using the south terminal, he said. | |
| "Flights are still landing. But if they are landing at the South Terminal, people are going to the gate as normal, but then they are not getting out on the air bridge and walking out into international arrivals, they are being put on busses to the north terminal to be processed there,” he added. | |
| "That will mean lots of crowds building up, and they can't leave the North Terminal to go to the station.” | |
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