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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Birmingham Airport back open after evacuation | Birmingham Airport back open after evacuation |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| Police said the evacuation was "a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of passengers and staff" | Police said the evacuation was "a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of passengers and staff" |
| Birmingham Airport said it was "slowly returning to normal" after passengers were evacuated over a suspicious vehicle. | Birmingham Airport said it was "slowly returning to normal" after passengers were evacuated over a suspicious vehicle. |
| There was disruption to flights and people were told to leave the airport building while a police operation got under way at about 12:20 BST. | There was disruption to flights and people were told to leave the airport building while a police operation got under way at about 12:20 BST. |
| An Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team searched the vehicle which was "deemed to be safe", West Midlands Police said. | An Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team searched the vehicle which was "deemed to be safe", West Midlands Police said. |
| An airport spokesperson apologised for "any inconvenience and disruption" but said "the safety and security of everyone at the airport was our number one priority as we worked through this incident with police partners." | An airport spokesperson apologised for "any inconvenience and disruption" but said "the safety and security of everyone at the airport was our number one priority as we worked through this incident with police partners." |
| Ian Pugh said he saw hundreds of people exiting the airport | Ian Pugh said he saw hundreds of people exiting the airport |
| The evacuation affected passengers who were checking in for the flights, with a police cordon set up around the airport and people advised not to travel to the airport. | The evacuation affected passengers who were checking in for the flights, with a police cordon set up around the airport and people advised not to travel to the airport. |
| The BBC understands passengers who had cleared security were permitted to go through to departures as they were deemed safe. | |
| In their latest update, an airport spokesperson said: "Birmingham Airport is working closely with its airline partners to minimise any potential disruption to customers. | |
| "The majority of flights that were held on the ground have now departed, with only one cancelled flight. | |
| "Customers are still advised to check their flight status with their airline. | |
| "We again apologise for the inconvenience to our passengers but their safety and security is our priority." | |
| The airport said there would be ongoing disruption while services return to normal | The airport said there would be ongoing disruption while services return to normal |
| Some travellers posted their frustration on social media at being left on planes that had just arrived at the airport. | |
| One user on X, @harmancheeta, said they were "stuck on a plane, claustrophobic, pleading to get off," and asked: "How long is this situation going to take?". | One user on X, @harmancheeta, said they were "stuck on a plane, claustrophobic, pleading to get off," and asked: "How long is this situation going to take?". |
| Another, @SpandleRandle, said his mum and dad were also on a plane at Birmingham Airport after returning from Spain and had "no idea what’s going on". | Another, @SpandleRandle, said his mum and dad were also on a plane at Birmingham Airport after returning from Spain and had "no idea what’s going on". |
| Ian Pugh posted a photo of crowds outside the building. | Ian Pugh posted a photo of crowds outside the building. |
| "It seemed very busy and the numbers of people just started growing," he said. | "It seemed very busy and the numbers of people just started growing," he said. |
| "At first I just thought it was people going to the train station and maybe the monorail had failed but the numbers just got larger." | "At first I just thought it was people going to the train station and maybe the monorail had failed but the numbers just got larger." |
| Some passengers were asked to assemble at the nearby National Exhibition Centre (NEC). | Some passengers were asked to assemble at the nearby National Exhibition Centre (NEC). |
| Many passengers were left waiting outside while emergency services dealt with the situation | Many passengers were left waiting outside while emergency services dealt with the situation |
| West Midlands Fire Service and West Midlands Ambulance Service both had crews on site while the investigation took place. | West Midlands Fire Service and West Midlands Ambulance Service both had crews on site while the investigation took place. |
| Passengers were allowed back into the airport from 15:30 BST. | |
| Birmingham Airport was also evacuated in September, when travellers were temporarily asked to leave a small area in the arrivals zone. | Birmingham Airport was also evacuated in September, when travellers were temporarily asked to leave a small area in the arrivals zone. |
| Get in touch | Get in touch |
| Tell us which stories we should cover in Birmingham and the Black Country | Tell us which stories we should cover in Birmingham and the Black Country |
| Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, external, X, external and Instagram, external. | Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, external, X, external and Instagram, external. |