Update: Controlled explosions were carried out at Gatwick.

An airport terminal was brought to a standstill tonight as police shut down an area of Gatwick because of a bomb threat.

A Gatwick spokeswoman said the situation had been dealt with at 9.45pm and "nothing to be concerned about" was found.

Passengers described scenes of “chaos” at Gatwick Airport's North Terminal as controlled explosions were carried out on the suspicious van in the short stay car park at about 7.30pm.

Eye witnesses described army disposal experts inspecting a car on the ground floor of the car park.

She added that the road outside the North Terminal and the car park would be re-opened once police had cleared the scene.

Sussex Police said an investigation is now under way in a bid to trace two men who entered the car park in an untaxed, uninsured, unregistered van and disappeared, sparking a major alert.

Inspector Gary Medland from Gatwick Police said: “We are aware that the closure of the car park caused some disruption but this was a most unusual event and the safety of those visiting and working at the airport must take priority.

“There is nothing to link the vehicle with terrorist activity and there is a strong possibility that the two men dumped the van as they headed for a flight. Enquiries are under way to establish whether this was the case and we are obviously very keen to talk to the men involved.”

The car park remains cordoned off while armed officers are blocking the North Terminal entrances from the A23 roundabouts. 

The slip road of the A23 in and out of the airport has also been closed.

Passengers are being directed to park in the South Terminal where shuttle buses to the North Terminal are being provided.

South East Coast Ambulance Service said they were in attendance at the airport as a precaution - however a spokeswoman from Gatwick Airport said no ambulances attended in relation to the incident.

A Brighton man, who asked not to be named, was in the North Terminal of the airport at about 7.30pm. 

He said: "It is chaos.

“The problem is apparently a van but no one knows exactly what.

“We heard an explosion.

“There are a hell of a lot of police and hundreds, if not thousands, of people stuck here.”

Another man said: “My girlfriend was at the North Terminal where she was just about to check in. 

“She and some flight crew heard a loud bang which was possibly a controlled explosion.

“Many have missed their flights.”

A Sussex Police statement said: “An area of a North Terminal car park has been cordoned off at Gatwick Airport after suspicions were raised about a van that entered the ground level on Wednesday afternoon.


“The alarm was raised at 2.40pm and officers who attended were unable to locate the driver of the Renault van or to view all of the interior of the vehicle.

“As a result an explosive ordnance disposal unit has been requested to attend the scene and a cordon has been established around the car park.”

A Gatwick Airport spokeswoman said: "Flights have not been affected.

"We are working with police following the incident."

Danielle Brown said on Twitter: “Security and police everywhere at gatwick, pretty scared and can't get to our terminal. Wonder if we will make our flight."

Another person said: "Gatwick airport has been shut off by police. Why?"

A third person said: "Drove past about eight police cars going through Gatwick...someone must have left a there backpack unattended."

One woman said: "Access roads to north terminal shut and loads of police."

Richard Bloom said: "As I was driving up to Leatherhead I saw four cop cars with blues and twos going full steam, followed by a bomb disposal truck, heading south towards Gatwick. What's up?"

Debra Seiderer said: "Anyone know what's going on at Gatwick? Police have all roads blocked and standing with their guns at the round about exits..."

Did you see anything? Contact The Argus at 01273 544530 or email anna.roberts@theargus.co.uk