British police dispatched a bomb disposal unit to London’s Gatwick Airport on Friday following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in a passenger’s luggage. The incident prompted the evacuation of a significant portion of the airport’s South Terminal and caused widespread disruption.
According to Sussex Police, the local force responsible for the area, the item was identified during routine security checks at approximately 8:20 a.m. “As a precaution, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team has been deployed to the airport,” the police said in a statement.
The airport, located roughly 30 miles south of London and Britain’s second-busiest aviation hub, issued an alert on social media advising passengers to remain outside the terminal while the situation was addressed. Police also warned of significant traffic delays in the vicinity, urging travelers to avoid the area until further notice.
The South Terminal, which handles thousands of passengers daily, was partially evacuated as a safety measure. Sussex Police maintained a security cordon around the affected area and confirmed it would remain in place until the matter was resolved.
This incident follows another earlier on Friday in central London, where Metropolitan Police conducted a controlled explosion near the US embassy after identifying a suspect package.
Authorities have not disclosed further details about the nature of the prohibited item at Gatwick or any potential connections to the incident in London.
Passengers and staff at Gatwick Airport were advised to check with their airlines for updates on flight schedules as delays were expected. The airport’s operations were disrupted, though officials emphasized that safety was their top priority.
Investigations into both incidents are ongoing as authorities work to ensure public safety.
