Gatwick Airport evacuated as passengers told to get out due to major 'security incident'

Gatwick Airport has been placed on lockdown, with hundreds of passengers evacuated due to a "security incident."

The Gatwick Express informed its users via their official X account: "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."

Confusion reigns among travellers, with one reporting on social media: "Gatwick airport evacuation today 10:27am. All flights delayed."

Another passenger expressed frustration, saying: "We were just made to leave the security area. No one is guiding us as to where to go outside. Total mayhem", and further commented: "Airport evacuated no one showing us where to go to."

Footage from the scene shows large numbers of passengers being directed away from the terminal to an unspecified location, reports the Mirror. Gatwick Airport addressed the situation with a brief statement this morning: "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."

They added: "Safety and security of our passengers and staff remains our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible."