Gatwick Airport terminal evacuated hours after controlled explosion outside US embassy

Explosives experts are assessing a suspicious object found in luggage at Gatwick, hours after a “suspicious package” was found outside the US embassy.

The Metropolitan Police carried out a “controlled explosion” using robots in central London in a separate incident on Friday morning.

Hours later, Gatwick Airport announced it had closed part of its South Terminal, which is likely to leave thousands of passengers stranded.

X / @ISawMarcoPolo

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20am on Friday following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage.

“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with.

“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.”

Gatwick Airport’s train station will be closed until at least the end of the day, Great Western Railway has confirmed.

In a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, they said the airport had been closed “due to a security alert”.

The official account of London Gatwick Airport is being inundated with queries from desperate passengers wanting to know if their flight is affected.

Passengers are being told the airlines they are due to fly with will “provide information and assistance” upon their arrival.

National Rail today confirmed Gatwick Airport station had been shut “on police advice” and not because of passenger overcrowding.

The airport’s North Terminal remains unaffected by the incident.

Travellers are also being advised not to travel to the station by Gatwick Express.

The express rail passenger service announced it would not be running “until further notice”.

In a post on X, it said local buses and replacement coaches would also be affected and unable to run to the airport owing to local road closures.

There is currently no suggestion the incidents are linked.

Nine Elms Lane was cordoned off while dozens of police and fire officers locked down the US embassy before a robotic device detonated the package.

Police said the package was found “near” the embassy before alarms were raised.

Police said they were conducting a sweep of the area with sniffer dogs, amid fears there could be another package.

It remains unclear what was found in the first package or whether it was detonated out of caution.

X/ @UKCraigP

A spokesman for the Met said: “We’re aware of speculation online about an incident in the vicinity of the US Embassy in Nine Elms.

“Cordons are in place in the area as a precaution while officers investigate a suspect package.”

They later added: “We can confirm that the ‘loud bang’ reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers.”

It is understood enquiries are still ongoing and cordons will remain in place for the time being.

The US embassy wrote on X: “Local authorities are investigating a suspicious package outside the U.S. Embassy in London. Met Police are present and have closed Ponton Road out of an abundance of caution. We will provide further updates when available.”

This is a breaking news story and is being updated