Thousands of passengers face delays at East Midlands Airport as terminal is evacuated after suspicious item was found in item of hand luggage
- Hundreds of people were evacuated from East Midlands Airport this afternoon
- A suspicious device was found in hand luggage in the airport’s main building
- A police cordon was in place as explosive experts analysed the device
- Leicestershire Police said no criminal offences identified and no arrests made
Thousands of people were evacuated from East Midlands Airport this afternoon after a suspicious device was found in hand luggage.
Hordes of travellers were evacuated alongside staff as a police cordon was put in place, and the device was inspected.
The evacuation, which happened after 3pm when the device was reported to police, has impacted 3,000 passengers, with eight planned flights not departing.
Three planes that were due to arrive at the airport were also diverted to land in other locations, due to the incident.
Hundreds of people were evacuated from East Midlands Airport this afternoon after a suspicious device was found in hand luggage
Hordes of travellers were evacuated alongside staff as a police cordon was put in place, and the device was inspected
The evacuation happened after 3pm when the device was reported to Leicestershire Police
Leicestershire Police said that the suspicious package was found in the airport’s main building.
A spokesperson for the force said: ‘In the interest of officer and public safety the terminal has been evacuated.
‘Explosive Ordnance Disposal were called to assist officers and determined the item did not pose any risk of harm to the public.
‘No criminal offences were identified, no-one has been arrested and the call was made in line with appropriate protocol.’
Explosive Ordnance Disposal were called to the scene to assess the potential security threat
A spokesperson for the force said that the terminal was evacuated in the interest of officer and public safety
Leicestershire Police said that the suspicious package was found in the airport’s main building
Passenger Sarah Hartles, who was due to fly to Rhodes, told ITV that they were given no information as the evacuation began.
‘All we were told was “Get Up and Move”, she said.
Passengers were relocated to a safer part of the airport, she added.
Concern about what was happening spread on social media this afternoon.
One person tweeted: ‘Any idea what is happening at East Midlands Airport? Airport departures evacuated. In a lounge and told to stay put. East Midlands airport (where I am currently) being evacuated… #traveldramas no idea what is causing this disruption…’
Another said: ‘First flight since Covid and a threat so had to evacuate — holidays are fun they said!’
One traveller described the evacuation as ‘mayhem’.
A spokesperson for East Midlands Airport said: ‘Following reports of a suspicious package, East Midlands Airport’s terminal was evacuated this afternoon as a precaution to enable police to carry our necessary enquiries.
‘It has now re-opened and we are working with the airlines to get passengers away on their flights. We thank customers for their patience and understanding.’
Concern about what was happening spread on social media this afternoon, with one passenger describing the evacuation as ‘mayhem’
Passengers were evacuated from the building and waited outside on the grass as police entered the building
A spokesperson for the airport said that the terminal was evacuated this afternoon as a precaution
One traveller at the airport described the evacuation as ‘mayhem’, as travellers were asked to leave the terminal
Holidaymakers stood outside this afternoon as officers instigated the suspicious package
A spokesperson for the airport said that it has now re-opened, with staff working with the airlines to get passengers away on their flights
The evacuation impacted 3,000 passengers, with eight planned flights not departing
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