Gatwick Airport Evacuated: South Terminal Closed Due to Suspicious Item

Gatwick Airport Evacuated Due to Security Alert

A large section of Gatwick Airport’s South Terminal was evacuated following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in a piece of luggage. The evacuation began at 10:55 GMT, leading to significant disruptions for passengers.

Airport officials emphasized that passenger and staff safety is their top priority during this incident. An Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team from Sussex Police was deployed to assess the situation. A security cordon was established around the area to ensure safety, and nearby roads were closed. Travelers were advised to avoid the vicinity.

Passengers experienced long delays. Laurence Kemball-Cook reported waiting for up to 90 minutes before security ordered everyone to evacuate. He expressed frustration at the lack of information from police regarding the status of flights.

The airport stated that the evacuation is a precaution while further investigations are conducted. Railway services to Gatwick were suspended, and travelers were advised against heading to the airport. Significant delays affected several British Airways flights, with some departures running late by over an hour and a half. Other airlines, including Vueling, redirected flights back to their origin.

Travel journalist Simon Calder noted that about 100,000 passengers were expected at Gatwick that day, with half using the South Terminal. Although flights were still landing, passengers arriving at the South Terminal were not allowed to exit through normal channels and were instead being transported to the North Terminal.

Travelers should stay updated on the situation as officials work to resolve the incident.