XXL Airport partially evacuated: Nothing works anymore! The situation on site is that serious

London (United Kingdom) - Stranded travelers as a result of an evacuated terminal - and ever-increasing traffic chaos: A large-scale police operation paralyzed large parts of London's Gatwick Airport today, Friday.

A terminal at London's second largest airport, Gatwick, had to be evacuated this Friday due to a suspicious object. (symbolic image)
A terminal at London's second largest airport, Gatwick, had to be evacuated this Friday due to a suspicious object. (symbolic image)  © Gareth Fuller/PA Wire/dpa

According to consistent media reports, this was triggered by a "suspected prohibited object", reports the British tabloid The Sun, among others.

According to these reports, the first police officers rushed to the airport - the ninth largest in Europe - at around 8.20 am. As a precautionary measure, an explosive ordnance disposal service was also called in.

"A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precautionary measure while we continue to investigate a security incident," the operator said on Platform X, also explaining that they were working hard to "resolve the issue as quickly as possible".

Dozens of flights have been canceled since the morning hours - or had to abort their approach and turn back.

Gatwick Airport in London partially closed! X posts show stranded travelers

Hundreds of stranded passengers

During the police operation, passengers are not allowed to remain in the vicinity of the terminal.

Pictures circulating on social media show stranded passengers, some of them wrapped in rescue blankets. According to eyewitness reports, bottles of water were also distributed.

At the same time, however, resentment is said to have built up on site: "I have no idea what's going on, except that I've been told to leave the airport," wrote one X user, who is said to be affected by the evacuation measures himself.

Another person, who is apparently also waiting in the freezing cold for information, added: "I've been standing in the cold for three hours and have no information on what to do." Further details are not yet known. The operation is still ongoing.