Gatwick Airport terminal evacuated amid 'security incident'

A large part of Gatwick Airport's South Terminal was evacuated on Friday morning due to a “security incident”.

According to a number of media reports, a suspected prohibited item was discovered in luggage, prompting the deployment of a bomb disposal unit.

Sussex Police established a security cordon and called in the explosive ordnance disposal team as a precautionary measure.

The police advised the public to avoid the area, warning of “significant disruption” and road closures around the terminal.

The airport - the UK's second busiest - confirmed the evacuation, citing the safety of passengers and staff as its priority.

Operations at the North Terminal remained unaffected.

Travellers shared scenes of disruption on social media, with videos showing large crowds being directed away from the terminal.

Some passengers reported being evacuated after passing through security, while others near departure gates were told to remain in place.

Transport links to the airport were also impacted.

Train operators told passengers that services were not calling at the airport, while local buses suspended services, with travellers advised to delay their journeys.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.