Gatwick Airport evacuated & passengers told ‘get out NOW’ as bomb squad swoops on suspicious item found in luggage
GATWICK Airport’s entire South Terminal has been evacuated as bomb squad cops probe a “suspected prohibited item” found in luggage.
Passengers have been ordered to “get out now and stay far away” while trains are suspended to the UK’s second busiest airport.
Cops scrambled to the South Terminal at 8.20am after a “suspected prohibited item” was found in luggage.
Are you at the airport? Email Harry Goodwin: harry.goodwin@the-sun.co.uk
Explosive Ordance Disposal cops have been deployed as a “precaution”.
Roads have been closed around the terminal and long queues are building on the M23.
The airport’s North Terminal is operating as normal, The Sun understands.
The security threat comes just hours after bomb disposal cops detonated another suspicious package at the US Embassy in London.
But it is not yet known whether the two packages are linked.
A passenger told The Sun: “Police are telling people get out now and get as far away as possible.”
Posting on Twitter, Nick Meacham 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 and 1000s of people all over the streets and carparks waiting.”
Sussex Police told The Sun: “Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20am following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage.
“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.
“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.”
Gatwick Airport said: “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.”
The airport added: “We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Trains will not stop at the airport until the terminal is cleared, and passengers have been urged to delay their trips.
Anyone who is already on a train to the airport has been told to get off at an earlier stop.
Thameslink, Southern Rail and Gatwick Express have issued a joint statement with advice to passengers.
The statement reads: “Gatwick Airport will not be served until further notice.
“This is due to the Police and emergency services dealing with an incident at the airport.
“At present, the station and airport are being evacuated whilst the police are dealing with an incident.
“We would recommend delaying your journey until later this morning.
“If you have already left for your journey, you will need to leave the train at either Horley, Three Bridges or Crawley and use local Metrobus services to Gatwick Airport.”
A spokesperson added: “Your ticket will be accepted at no extra cost on these routes.
“Please note that the buses may not be able to stop at their usual stopping locations at Gatwick Airport.
“To clarify, we advise you not to travel to Gatwick Railway Station at present.”