LONDON, Nov. 14 (UPI) — London-area police evacuated one of two terminals at Gatwick Airport and arrested a man Saturday morning after he was spotted discarding a suspicious item.
The Sussex Police were called to the airport about 9:30 a.m. local time “following suspicious actions by a man who discarded an item at the airport.” The man, who has not been identified, was arrested and police were investigating the scene. It is unclear if the man has been charged with a crime. Gatwick airport authorities said the north terminal was evacuated as a “precautionary measure.”
At least 128 people were killed in coordinated attacks at several locations in Paris on Friday night. The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility.
“At this time, we are investigating the circumstances of the incident and it is too early to say what the item may be,” Sussex police Detective Superintendent Nick May said. “However, given the events in Paris on Friday evening, there is heightened awareness around any such incident and it is best that we treat the matter in all seriousness.”
Evacuees took to social media, describing the scene as “quiet chaos” with hundreds of people corralled and “lots of men with guns and police.” Gatwick is London’s second busiest airport and is located about 30 miles from the capital.
Emma Goodson was traveling from Malaga, Spain to Gatwick. She expected to land at the north terminal but instead landed at the south terminal.
“No reason given but saw news about man with machine gun & grenade,” she said.
Scenes of quiet chaos at #Gatwick lots of men with guns and police #evacuatedfromnorth pic.twitter.com/dUYbpfMaMM— ems goodson (@emjs81) November 14, 2015
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