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Lightning strike causes Stansted Airport disruption Lightning strike causes Stansted Airport disruption
(35 minutes later)
Flights from Stansted Airport have been cancelled or delayed after lightning damaged its fuelling systems.Flights from Stansted Airport have been cancelled or delayed after lightning damaged its fuelling systems.
Passengers are reporting major problems, with some stuck on planes awaiting take off and aircraft being diverted away from landing.Passengers are reporting major problems, with some stuck on planes awaiting take off and aircraft being diverted away from landing.
The airport said its aircraft fuelling system was "unavailable" for a period earlier due to a lightning strike.The airport said its aircraft fuelling system was "unavailable" for a period earlier due to a lightning strike.
A spokeswoman said engineers had since restored the system but "flights may be diverted, delayed or cancelled".A spokeswoman said engineers had since restored the system but "flights may be diverted, delayed or cancelled".
"We apologise for the inconvenience and advise all passengers to check with their airlines for their latest flight updates," she said."We apologise for the inconvenience and advise all passengers to check with their airlines for their latest flight updates," she said.
The damage occurred as thunderstorms and torrential rain swept across part of the UK overnight and comes on a Bank Holiday weekend and at the start of school half-term.The damage occurred as thunderstorms and torrential rain swept across part of the UK overnight and comes on a Bank Holiday weekend and at the start of school half-term.
Passenger Steve Childs told the BBC his Ryanair flight to Madrid had been due to take off at 08:25 GMT.
Mr Childs, who is travelling with his wife and daughter to see his father for during the half-term break, said he has had to get information from social media.
"There have been no announcements," he said.
"Flights which were due to leave at 06:00 still haven't left.
"We are in the middle of the departure hall. Fortunately we have seats, but there are lots of people without."
Frustrated passengers have been venting social media.Frustrated passengers have been venting social media.
Twitter user Tracey Mitchell said her niece and nephew's flight had been cancelled as a result, meaning they are "no longer going on their cruise".Twitter user Tracey Mitchell said her niece and nephew's flight had been cancelled as a result, meaning they are "no longer going on their cruise".