Parts of Heathrow Airport in London went into a brief lockdown on Sunday after a man used pepper spray on several people during an argument.
Police arrested the suspect and confirmed that the case is not being treated as terrorism, according to AFP.
Argument Escalates in Terminal 3 Car Park
The incident took place in the multi-storey car park at Terminal 3, Europe’s busiest airport. London’s Metropolitan Police said the confrontation involved “a group of people known to each other.”
Emergency teams treated 21 people at the scene, and five were taken to hospital. Officers said the injuries were “not believed to be life-changing or life-threatening.”
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Officers Respond After Morning Assault
Police said they received a call around 8:00 am (local time) reporting that multiple people had been attacked in the parking area.
“A number of people were sprayed with what is believed to be a form of pepper spray by a group of men who then left the scene,” the force said.
“Armed response officers attended and arrested one man on suspicion of assault. He remains in custody and enquiries continue to trace further suspects,” police added.
While one man was detained, officers are still searching for others who fled after the assault.
Transport Disruptions and Brief Panic
The attack caused temporary panic and major traffic problems. Train services to and from the airport were halted for more than an hour, according to The New York Times. Police also blocked car access and stopped pedestrians from entering or exiting certain areas of the terminal complex, leading to heavy congestion.
Despite the chaos, AFP reported that Terminal 3 stayed open the entire time.
Airport Issues Travel Warning
Heathrow Airport advised travellers to arrive early because of delays caused by traffic disruption around the terminal.
