22 Nov, 2024 @ 15:22
2 mins read

BREAKING: Bomb squad called to London airport as terminal evacuated: Flights to and from Spain facing delays

FLIGHTS to Spain are facing disruption after a suspicious package at a London airport forced a partial evacuation.

A bomb disposal team has been sent to Gatwick Airport, where the South Terminal has been cleared, including passengers who had already passed through security.

A routine security sweep discovered ‘a suspected prohibited item in luggage’ early this morning.

Airport workers ‘immediately evacuated’ the whole land side of the terminal, including the area before security control, the check-in area and the railway station built into the airport, travel expert Simon Calder told LBC.

READ MORE: Migrant arrivals at the Canary Islands to break record for second year running: Ten percent estimated to die on the journey to Spain

People were handed water and thermal blankets as they were being evacuated from Gatwick airport. Credit: Sky News

Estepona resident Campbell Ferguson of Surveyed Spain told the Olive Press they were forced to wait on the plane after landing from Malaga

“The pilot got on the intercom and told us we’d have to wait a bit as there’s a security alert in the South Terminal,” he said from the airport.

“In the end we waited about half an hour on the tarmac before getting off. 

“Luckily we just had hand luggage with us. But for those with luggage in the hold, heaven knows how they’re going to get those things back.”

Scenes from the airport show thousands of people milling around outside the main building – some in heat-trapping foil blankets – under clear blue skies.

The mood was described as calm but anxious as huge swathes of the airport were evacuated in fear of a major explosion.

Gatwick South Terminal has been evacuated after a suspicious item was found among luggage. Credit: Sky News

“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20am following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” Sussex Police said 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.”

There are 316 flights scheduled to depart from the airport today – including at least 15 to Spain this afternoon – and a further 318 due to arrive, according to aviation analytics website Cirium.

A spokesperson for the airport said: “Passengers are not able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing and trains are not currently stopping at Gatwick Airport. 

“Safety and security of our passengers and staff remains our top priority. Passengers should contact their airline for further information.” 

Travellers have been told to expect a lot of cancellations today as a result.

Walter Finch

Walter Finch, who comes from a background in video and photography, is keen on reporting on and investigating organised crime, corruption and abuse of power. He is fascinated by the nexus between politics, business and law-breaking, as well as other wider trends that affect society.
Born in London but having lived in six countries, he is well-travelled and worldly. He studied Philosophy at the University of Birmingham and earned his diploma in journalism from London's renowned News Associates during the Covid era.
He got his first break in the business working on the Foreign News desk of the Daily Mail's online arm, where he also helped out on the video desk.
He then decided to escape the confines of London and returned to Spain in 2022, having previously lived in Barcelona for many years.
He took up up a reporter role with the Olive Press Newspaper and today he is based in La Linea de la Concepcion at the heart of a global chokepoint and crucial maritime hub, where he edits the Olive Press Gibraltar edition.
He is also the deputy news editor across all editions of the newspaper.

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