Gatwick Airport latest: Police call in bomb squad after terminal evacuated as passengers face huge delays

Police have called a bomb disposal squad to Gatwick Airport after passengers were evacuated as a security incident is investigated.

A large part of the south terminal of the UK’s second busiest airport was evacuated on Friday morning, with passengers warned to stay away after police said a suspected prohibited item was discovered in luggage at 8.20am.

Travellers flying from the south terminal have been unable to check-in since the incident began and are facing huge delays, with flight disruption at the airport already underway. Pictures posted on social media show passengers wrapped in emergency foil blankets to shield themselves from the cold as they wait outside the building.

Sussex Police officers have put a security cordon in place.

The force said in a statement: “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.”

In a statement, the airport said: “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.”