London’s Heathrow Airport has bounced back after a scary scare at Terminal 4. The airport fully reopened on September 9 following reports of a possible hazardous materials incident, but emergency teams confirmed no dangerous substances were present. This is great news for travelers worried about flight disruptions at one of the world’s busiest hubs.
Earlier in the evening, check-in at Terminal 4 shut down and everyone evacuated due to the alert. Emergency services rushed in to investigate, as shared by Xinhua news agency. Videos and photos popping up on social media showed crowds of passengers gathered outside the terminal, with airport staff handing out water and blankets to keep everyone comfortable.
One passenger, Cao Yuan, shared his experience with Xinhua: “Most of the passengers who were due to board at Terminal 4 have been evacuated away from the building, and many are now waiting outside Terminal 5 along with me.” It must have been chaotic, but things calmed down quickly.
The Metropolitan Police issued a statement saying they found no trace of any adverse substance. They also noted that about 20 people reported minor injuries, but thankfully, none were life-threatening. Heathrow Airport quickly posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Emergency services have confirmed Terminal 4 is safe to reopen. And we are doing everything we can to ensure all flights depart as planned today.”
For those unfamiliar, Heathrow Airport is London’s main international gateway and the UK’s largest airport. Its official website boasts that over 67 million passengers pass through each year, flying with 90 airlines to more than 180 destinations across 90 countries. If you’re planning a trip to or from London Heathrow, this incident highlights how seriously authorities take safety – but rest assured, operations are back to normal now.
Stay tuned for any updates on Heathrow Airport news, as the airport works to minimize delays from this hazardous materials scare.
