Luton airport reopening after bomb scare
Police carry out a controlled explosion at Luton airport after a suspicious package triggered a security alert – disrupting travel plans for thousands.
Chaos at Luton airport. The terminal is evacuated after a security alert. pic.twitter.com/cxv9ITdwOd
— James Blake (@jimblakey) September 8, 2014
A bomb disposal team arrived at Luton Airport at 3pm, after the security alert was triggered. Police conducted the controlled explosion, but reported that there would be continuing delays.
Bedfordshire police said: “London Luton Airport is in the process of reopening following a security alert that took place earlier this afternoon.
“Officers were called to the departure terminal at 1.36pm after airport security raised concerns about an item that was passed through a security check in keeping with the airport’s policies and procedures.
Controlled explosion taken place at #Luton airport -fire engines appear to be leaving, police officer tells me waiting for allclear #c4news
— Fatima Manji (@fatimamanji) September 8, 2014
“Members of the public were evacuated from the terminal area as a safety precaution while the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team were called in to undertake the necessary checks required.
“A controlled explosion was conducted at 5.15pm and it was confirmed that the item destroyed, although deemed suspicious, did not present a wider danger.”
Not sure what this suspicious package actually was but a lot of flights going to be delayed or cancelled #Luton airport #c4news
— Fatima Manji (@fatimamanji) September 8, 2014
Hundreds of passengers were evacuated to behind barriers outside Luton Airport’s terminal building and roads leading to the airport have been closed.
Passengers are either penned into car park or behind barriers. #luton airport #c4news pic.twitter.com/AQ1YFCOeIk
— Fatima Manji (@fatimamanji) September 8, 2014
No flights were taking off from, or landing at, the airport and five EasyJet flights scheduled to arrive at Luton were diverted to other airports.
Luton Airport said staff were now “working hard to reopen the terminal”.
There had been reports that passengers were “getting irate” as they waited outside the airport – with complaints that toilets and food were not being provided.
Some passengers getting very irate at #Luton airport – saying no loos or food available #c4news
— Fatima Manji (@fatimamanji) September 8, 2014
At 5pm, London Luton Airport said in a statement: “We understand passengers will be frustrated by the delays they are experiencing.
“We are working closely with the police to ensure passengers are not inconvenienced unnecessarily but we must ensure that the safety and security of all our passengers and staff remains our top priority.”
Follow @jimblakey and @fatimamanji on Twitter.
