Gatwick Airport chaos as hundreds told to 'get out now' due to 'suspect package'

Gatwick Airport was put under lockdown earlier today, leading to the evacuation of hundreds of passengers due to a "security incident". Armed police and a bomb squad were called to the scene after staff urgently informed travellers around 10am, "We're evacuating. You've got to leave", as officers secured the area following the discovery of a "suspected prohibited item in luggage".

Sussex Police confirmed that an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team attended the airport and a security cordon was established while the situation was addressed. Passengers, who had to endure hours outside in the cold, were provided with foil blankets and water, although some began to show signs of restlessness, according to one traveller.

The issue has been resolved, with Gatwick Airport's official Twitter account announcing: "The earlier security alert has now been resolved and cleared by police. The South Terminal is reopening to staff and will be open to passengers shortly. Trains will also start calling at Gatwick Airport once the terminal is fully reopened. We would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding while this situation was resolved. Safety and security is always our top priority. There are some delays and cancellations, passengers should contact their airline for any updates on flights."

Several passengers have been left uncertain about their travel plans, with one stating on social media: "Gatwick airport evacuation today 10:27am. All flights delayed."

A puzzled individual commented: "We were just made to leave the security area. No one is guiding us as to where to go outside. Total mayhem", and further adding: "Airport evacuated no one showing us where to go to."

Another affected traveller mentioned: "Whole of Gatwick south terminal being evacuated right now after huge delays at security. Looks like they are only evacuating the main terminal and pushing people to the gates. Is it a suspect package? Police told me it was a security incident earlier that led to big Q."

A representative from Sussex Police explained: "Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20am on Friday (22 November) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage."

They continued: "As a precaution, the South Terminal has been evacuated to ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users while the matter is dealt with. This is causing significant disruption. Please contact Gatwick Airport press office for further information."

The force later clarified: "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. Please contact Gatwick Airport press office (01293 505000) for further information."

Videos taken from outside the airport show a sea of confused travellers being ushered away from the site to an unknown location, reports the Mirror.

In a short tweet released this morning, Gatwick Airport said: "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."

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

A number of rail services also announced they would not be stopping at Gatwick Airport. This includes Southern Rail, Gatwick Express and Thameslink.

Train passenger information website National Rail Enquiries said: "The police are dealing with an incident at Gatwick airport."

"The station and airport are currently being evacuated. Services are able to run through the station and area but will not call at Gatwick airport at this time. Please avoid travelling to the station whilst this incident is ongoing. This is expected to continue until approximately 2pm."

Jennifer Newton of The Mirror, present at Gatwick Airport during its evacuation, relayed the tense atmosphere, stating staff instructed passengers with a clear "you've got to leave" while armed police guarded the security area. Jennifer recounted, "I arrived at the airport this morning at around 9:45 am, and when I got there, I could tell something wasn't quite right because they weren't allowing people to go over to security in the normal way. They put us in a massive queue."

"It was moving slowly, and at that point they said there had been a security incident. Part of the security area was closed, so they were leading people to a different area."

However, the situation quickly escalated as she described, "Then I was in the queue for around half an hour and I had just got to the point where you're about to go through security and they said 'We're evacuating. Everyone, you've got to leave.'" Jennifer also mentioned her suspicions before the evacuation order, noting, "But before that, I had a feeling something wasn't right because I could see two armed police officers standing near the queue. They were on a radio looking at each other."

As chaos ensued, passengers have been left outside in the cold without much information.

Jennifer, who has been outside for more than 30 minutes, observed the worsening situation with passengers being asked to move further back from the terminal building due to overcrowding and the "sheer amount of people".

She later revealed that crowds were directed to the lower levels of the multi-storey car park, where bus and coach stops are located, but no further information was provided. Despite the evacuation of Gatwick South terminal, planes, including a British Airways flight from San Jose, Costa Rica, continued to land.

However, for security reasons, pilots were initially instructed to keep the plane doors closed on the tarmac. Passengers from the San Jose flight were allowed to disembark shortly after midday, but they were not permitted into the South terminal and were instead transported by bus to the North terminal.

Large groups of passengers with bags and other luggage were seen walking towards the North terminal on nearby public roads. Those who were scheduled to land at the South terminal have been informed that they will need to collect their bags from the North terminal, with lengthy waits anticipated.