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London City Airport evacuation: Man arrested under terror laws after unleashing 'noxious substance' | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A man has been arrested under terror laws for using a chemical substance that led to the evacuation of London City Airport on Friday. | A man has been arrested under terror laws for using a chemical substance that led to the evacuation of London City Airport on Friday. |
London Metropolitan Police said they arrested a 25-year-old man on Saturday on suspicion of using a noxious substance to cause serious damage, an offence under anti-terror laws. | |
He was arrested at a home in east London and taken to a west London police station. | He was arrested at a home in east London and taken to a west London police station. |
Dozens of people were treated for breathing difficulties after the "chemical incident" which investigators believe was caused by CS gas or spray. | |
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. |
All flights to and from the airport were halted during the investigation and some incoming planes had to be diverted to other airports. | All flights to and from the airport were halted during the investigation and some incoming planes had to be diverted to other airports. |
David Morris was 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. | |
"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." | |
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. | |
Later emergency services said no "elevated readings" were found in the terminal building, which was ventilated and searched. | |
The incident was "declared safe" by the brigade at around 7pm. | |
The arrested man has since been released on bail until late November, Scotland Yard said. |