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| Two detained over Gatwick Airport 'suspect package' | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| People were evacuated from Gatwick Airport's South Terminal on Friday morning | People were evacuated from Gatwick Airport's South Terminal on Friday morning |
| Two people were temporarily detained by police after reports of a suspicious package meant Gatwick Airport's South Terminal was evacuated. | |
| The South Terminal, one of two at the airport, was shut at 10:55 GMT on Friday while an explosive ordnance disposal team "made the package safe". | |
| Sussex Police confirmed this afternoon that two people were detained but have since been allowed to continue with their journeys. | |
| The terminal is now reopening for passengers, who are being warned of continuing delays and cancellations. | |
| Passengers had to leave the airport and wait in near-freezing temperatures outside | Passengers had to leave the airport and wait in near-freezing temperatures outside |
| Earlier on Friday, thousands of stranded passengers were left waiting outside the terminal in near-freezing temperatures, with many saying they had no idea what was going on. | |
| "No-one seems to know what they are doing," said John Mather, who flew into the South Terminal from Costa Rica during the closure. | "No-one seems to know what they are doing," said John Mather, who flew into the South Terminal from Costa Rica during the closure. |
| "We were then bussed to the North Terminal, where we went through immigration and collected our bags. [We had] no help whatsoever from airport or security staff." | "We were then bussed to the North Terminal, where we went through immigration and collected our bags. [We had] no help whatsoever from airport or security staff." |
| Mr Mather was one of many frustrated passengers at the airport | Mr Mather was one of many frustrated passengers at the airport |
| Mr Mather, who lives in Croydon, said that because the trains were not stopping at Gatwick, he would be forced to walk to the station in Horley - more than half an hour away. | Mr Mather, who lives in Croydon, said that because the trains were not stopping at Gatwick, he would be forced to walk to the station in Horley - more than half an hour away. |
| "It's hopeless, I'm stuck here," he said. | "It's hopeless, I'm stuck here," he said. |
| Trains have since resumed calling at Gatwick. | |
| Another stranded passenger was Gabriele Lecce, who had been hoping to fly to Rome but was told there was an issue when he arrived at departures. | Another stranded passenger was Gabriele Lecce, who had been hoping to fly to Rome but was told there was an issue when he arrived at departures. |
| “Fifteen minutes later, we saw the police coming and they evacuated us - we're freezing out here," he told the BBC. | “Fifteen minutes later, we saw the police coming and they evacuated us - we're freezing out here," he told the BBC. |
| Many people have been forced to make alternative travel plans, like Emily Fisher and her three friends, who have paid £1,200 for new tickets to Budapest, travelling from Luton Airport instead. | Many people have been forced to make alternative travel plans, like Emily Fisher and her three friends, who have paid £1,200 for new tickets to Budapest, travelling from Luton Airport instead. |
| Emily Fisher (left) and her friends have paid £1,200 to fly to Budapest from Luton Airport instead | Emily Fisher (left) and her friends have paid £1,200 to fly to Budapest from Luton Airport instead |
| "We got to [Gatwick] airport at 11:00, there were hundreds of people outside," said Emily. | "We got to [Gatwick] airport at 11:00, there were hundreds of people outside," said Emily. |
| "They said the terminal was on lockdown but the people at the airport were telling us they didn’t know anything." | "They said the terminal was on lockdown but the people at the airport were telling us they didn’t know anything." |
| Passengers resorted to different methods in a bid to keep their journey going | Passengers resorted to different methods in a bid to keep their journey going |
| Travel journalist Simon Calder said about 100,000 passengers were due to fly in and out of Gatwick Airport on Friday - half of those through the South Terminal. | Travel journalist Simon Calder said about 100,000 passengers were due to fly in and out of Gatwick Airport on Friday - half of those through the South Terminal. |
| Now, passengers say they are "cautiously optimistic" as they board shuttle trains to the South Terminal. | Now, passengers say they are "cautiously optimistic" as they board shuttle trains to the South Terminal. |
| “Until we’re on the plane, we can’t relax," said Alaia, 18, who is trying to get home to Barcelona. | “Until we’re on the plane, we can’t relax," said Alaia, 18, who is trying to get home to Barcelona. |
| "I’m worried that so many planes are delayed that some won’t actually take off." | "I’m worried that so many planes are delayed that some won’t actually take off." |
| A spokesperson for Gatwick Airport said passengers should check the status of the flight with their airline. | |
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