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London City Airport evacuation 'may have been caused by passenger accidentally discharging CS gas' | |
(about 17 hours later) | |
A suspected "chemical incident" that made dozens of people sick at London City Airport may have been caused by the accidental release of CS gas by a passenger before check-in . | |
Investigators looking into the cause of the incident – which saw people run from the facility as numerous passengers began coughing inside – found a canister believed to be CS gas or spray during a sweep of the airport, which had to be evacuated. | |
There were unconfirmed reports on Friday night that the CS gas may have been discharged by a passenger before check-in. The incident is not believed to be terrorist related. | |
Around 500 passengers and staff were ordered to leave the terminal following an alarm just after 4pm on Friday. | Around 500 passengers and staff were ordered to leave the terminal following an alarm just after 4pm on Friday. |
Two casualties were taken to hospital and 25 were treated at the scene for breathing difficulties after the incident, the London Ambulance Service (LAS) said. | Two casualties were taken to hospital and 25 were treated at the scene for breathing difficulties after the incident, the London Ambulance Service (LAS) said. |
In addition, all flights to and from the airport were halted during the investigation and some incoming planes had to be diverted to other airports. | In addition, all flights to and from the airport were halted during the investigation and some incoming planes had to be diverted to other airports. |
A statement posted to the airport’s Twitter account said: “We apologise to passengers for inconvenience caused today when an alarm was activated, triggering a full evacuation of the airport terminal. | A statement posted to the airport’s Twitter account said: “We apologise to passengers for inconvenience caused today when an alarm was activated, triggering a full evacuation of the airport terminal. |
“Passengers were evacuated safely and we thank them for their patience. Following the evacuation, some individuals reported feeling unwell and were treated at the scene by LAS. | “Passengers were evacuated safely and we thank them for their patience. Following the evacuation, some individuals reported feeling unwell and were treated at the scene by LAS. |
“Emergency services responded to evacuation, citing a possible chemical incident. Firefighters and police officers jointly conducted sweeps of the airport building. | “Emergency services responded to evacuation, citing a possible chemical incident. Firefighters and police officers jointly conducted sweeps of the airport building. |
“The search of the airport led to the discovery of what is believed to be a CS gas spray". | |
“The airport was declared safe and reopened at approximately 7pm. Passengers are advised to contact their airline for the latest information regarding their flights.” | “The airport was declared safe and reopened at approximately 7pm. Passengers are advised to contact their airline for the latest information regarding their flights.” |
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “At this early stage officers are investigating whether it may have been discarded by a passenger prior to check-in". | |
David Morris said he had been at the check-in desk for his BA flight to Edinburgh when he began coughing. | David Morris said he had been at the check-in desk for his BA flight to Edinburgh when he began coughing. |
"We were queuing up and we were just about to check our bags in, and I was talking and started to cough to the point I was not able to keep talking," the 28-year-old told the Press Association. | "We were queuing up and we were just about to check our bags in, and I was talking and started to cough to the point I was not able to keep talking," the 28-year-old told the Press Association. |
"It was getting quite bad and we saw other people starting to cough at the same time. The people behind the desk were coughing the most and quite aggressively. | "It was getting quite bad and we saw other people starting to cough at the same time. The people behind the desk were coughing the most and quite aggressively. |
"Within two minutes, they shouted for everyone to get out." | "Within two minutes, they shouted for everyone to get out." |
Mr Morris said BA staff behind the check-in desk jumped over to escape, calling the situation "quite scary". | Mr Morris said BA staff behind the check-in desk jumped over to escape, calling the situation "quite scary". |
He said that whatever was causing people to cough did not smell or have any colour to it. | He said that whatever was causing people to cough did not smell or have any colour to it. |
"Everyone was shouting and rushing towards the door," he added. | "Everyone was shouting and rushing towards the door," he added. |
A London Fire Brigade spokesman said "two complete sweeps of the airport building" were carried out jointly by firefighters and police officers wearing protective equipment. | A London Fire Brigade spokesman said "two complete sweeps of the airport building" were carried out jointly by firefighters and police officers wearing protective equipment. |
He added: "No elevated readings were found and the building was ventilated, searched and declared safe." | He added: "No elevated readings were found and the building was ventilated, searched and declared safe." |
Medics trained to treat people in hazardous situations also attended the scene. | Medics trained to treat people in hazardous situations also attended the scene. |
More than 30 British Airways flights to and from the airport were cancelled, and others heavily delayed. | More than 30 British Airways flights to and from the airport were cancelled, and others heavily delayed. |
The closure of the airport came at the worst possible time for the airlines and their passengers: a busy Friday afternoon, when planes are normally heavily booked. Alternative flights from Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted have few seats available. | The closure of the airport came at the worst possible time for the airlines and their passengers: a busy Friday afternoon, when planes are normally heavily booked. Alternative flights from Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted have few seats available. |
BA told passengers: “London City airport has been evacuated this afternoon and our flights will experience some disruption as a result. | BA told passengers: “London City airport has been evacuated this afternoon and our flights will experience some disruption as a result. |
“We are awaiting for more information from the fire service, police and the airport authorities at London City and are keeping the situation under review. | “We are awaiting for more information from the fire service, police and the airport authorities at London City and are keeping the situation under review. |
“If your flight is still operating please allow plenty of time to travel to the airport as transport to and from the terminal is heavily congested.” | “If your flight is still operating please allow plenty of time to travel to the airport as transport to and from the terminal is heavily congested.” |
Because the delays and cancellations are due to “extraordinary circumstances”, passengers are not entitled to cash compensation. | Because the delays and cancellations are due to “extraordinary circumstances”, passengers are not entitled to cash compensation. |
But airlines are responsible for providing meals and, if necessary, accommodation, until disrupted passengers reach their destinations. | But airlines are responsible for providing meals and, if necessary, accommodation, until disrupted passengers reach their destinations. |
The Press Association contributed to this report. | The Press Association contributed to this report. |
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