London’s Gatwick airport evacuates South Terminal over suspected security threat

London's Gatwick airport evacuates South Terminal over suspected security threat
Credit: Gareth Fuller/ PA via AP

London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Gatwick Airport’s South Terminal was evacuated following the detection of a suspicious item in luggage, while police and bomb disposal teams investigated the scene. Access to the terminal and train station has been restricted

Passengers were evacuated, and bomb disposal experts were placed at Gatwick Airport’s South Terminal after a suspected prohibited item was discovered in the luggage area.

Sussex Police stated officers were called to the terminal at 8:20 a.m. on Friday after a “suspected prohibited item” was discovered.

The police stated in a statement, “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. As a precaution, an EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) team is being deployed to the airport”. 

The airport confirmed on X that Gatwick’s South Terminal remains closed to the public until the situation is resolved.

The airport said “We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible”.

Passengers are warned of major disruptions by authorities and advised to stay away from the area. 

A statement released by Sussex police stated “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”.

A former BBC journalist, Deborah Cohen posted a video of passengers being moved to lower floors at the airport, with another video posted by Cohen on X showing them receiving foil blankets to stay warm.  

National Inter-Agency Liaison Officer (Nilo) staff, identifiable by their bibs, were seen at the scene, assisting police, and fire and rescue teams. 

According to aviation analytics website Cirium, 316 flights were scheduled to depart from Gatwick on Friday, with over 60,600 passengers and 318 flights were scheduled to arrive, with a combined total of more than 61,400 seats. 

A representative for the UK’s second busiest airport stated “A large part of the south terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a 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 to resolve the issue as quickly as possible”.

The nearby train station has been shut down, according to rail authorities.

National Rail Enquiries, the train passenger information website, stated “The police are dealing with an incident at Gatwick airport. 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. Please avoid travelling to the station whilst this incident is ongoing. This is expected to continue until approximately 2pm”. 

Social media footage on X showed large groups of travellers leaving the terminal building outside the airport terminal. 

As reported by the Sky News one passenger said “Arrived at London Gatwick for routine connection. Got through customs to find out they’re evacuating the entire airport”. 

“Even people through security are being taken outside. Trains shut down,” another traveler, who said “thousands” of people were forced to leave”. 

According to passengers, people outside the airport were given blankets and water, Sky News reported.

Sarah Dinenage