Gatwick Airport evacuated as bomb squad rushes to the scene

Hundreds of passengers have been evacuated from Gatwick Airport’s South Terminal following a the discovery of a “suspicious item”.

Sussex Police has confirmed that explosives specialists are on the scene.

In a statement the service said: “Police were called to the south terminal at Gatwick airport at 8.20am on Friday following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage.

“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.”

Travel expert Simon Calder told LBC: “A suspicious item was found in the security check in the South Terminal.”

He told James O’Brien the ongoing incident is “a really messy and distressing situation for tens of thousands of people.”

A spokesperson for the Gatwick Express said on X: “Gatwick Arport will not be served until further notice. This is due to the Police and emergency services dealing with an incident at the airport.”

Videos from the scene show passengers being rushed out of the terminal since around 10.27am.

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