Gatwick Airport was evacuated last night after passengers bypassed security through a fire door.
The North Terminal of the international airport was evacuated after passengers entered the departure lounge through a fire door and jumped onto flights without going through security.
Passengers were forced to file out of the terminal and had to be re-screened causing chaos as flights were delayed and cancelled.
In an update on Twitter, a London Gatwick spokesman said: “A fire alarm was triggered and the terminal had to be evacuated.
“When re-entering the terminal, passengers had gone through to the departure lounge and onto flights via a fire door.
“Therefore passengers in these areas had to be brought back through security for re-screening.”
MOST READ:
- Man found dead two weeks after going missing
- Parking row pensioner fumes over barrier put up to stop wife falling over... again
- 'Cheap looking' plans for new seafront restaurants slammed by residents
The airport warned that passengers would be delayed in returning through security and apologised for the inconvenience.
Passengers took social media to complain about the chaos at the airport which took place at around 7pm yesterday evening.
One passenger wrote: “A bloody disgrace. No control, management or planning. Have had to sleep in the airport all night.”
Another added: “Boarding passes were all scanned and my flight to Inverness was ready to take off but was pulled.
“The answer isn’t good enough. In this situation, dynamic risk assessment is essential not just a lazy, dangerous, ridiculous blanket decree.”
The airport was approached for comment regarding the delays and cancellations.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel