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Security alert at London Heathrow Security alert at London Heathrow
(about 1 hour later)
Thousands of passengers travelling from Heathrow Airport's Terminal 4 are facing delays after a suspect bag sparked a security alert. Heathrow Airport's Terminal 4 has reopened after a suspect bag sparked a security alert.
The Metropolitan Police said it was dealing with the item which was found at the terminal just before midday.The Metropolitan Police said it was dealing with the item which was found at the terminal just before midday.
BAA said the departure lounge was partially evacuated and departing passengers were being re-screened, causing some cancellations and delays. But thousands of departing passengers are facing long delays as airport officials begin re-screening them.
All international flights from the terminal have been cancelled until 2100 BST while all European flights have been cancelled until further notice.
The alert comes after failed terrorist attacks in London and Glasgow.The alert comes after failed terrorist attacks in London and Glasgow.
BAA said arrivals at the terminal were still operating as normal.
BBC correspondent Daniel Boettcher said hundreds of people were backed up onto the street and into the car park.
Extra precautionExtra precaution
A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said all air traffic from Terminal 4 had been stopped while checks were carried out. Following the alert the departure lounge at the terminal was partially evacuated and passengers were moved out onto the street and into the car park.
A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said all air traffic from Terminal 4 was stopped while checks were carried out.
BAA said the suspect bag was identified shortly before 1200 BST.BAA said the suspect bag was identified shortly before 1200 BST.
A spokesperson said: "As an extra precaution, it was decided to perform secondary searches on all departing passengers at the aircraft gate. A spokesperson said: "We have had to cancel 108 flights in total.
"In order to facilitate the secondary search process, a decision was made by the police to partially evacuate the departure lounge and re-screen the passengers. "Our flights to and from Terminal 1 at Heathrow are operating, but with some delays."
"Contingency plans have now been activated to ensure that we are able to effectively manage the increase in resource that this secondary search requires."
Terminal 4 is used by KLM, British Airways, Qantas Airways and Sri Lankan Air.Terminal 4 is used by KLM, British Airways, Qantas Airways and Sri Lankan Air.
Affected passengers have been advised to contact their airlines to get the updated information on their flights.
BAA said arrivals at the terminal were still operating as normal.
Alternative routeAlternative route
Earlier on Tuesday a controlled explosion was carried out on a suspect device near Hammersmith Tube station.Earlier on Tuesday a controlled explosion was carried out on a suspect device near Hammersmith Tube station.
During the morning rush-hour the station in west London and surrounding roads were closed when a suspect device was found at about 0825 BST.During the morning rush-hour the station in west London and surrounding roads were closed when a suspect device was found at about 0825 BST.
There was an unconfirmed report the suspect objects had turned out to be three abandoned fire extinguishers.There was an unconfirmed report the suspect objects had turned out to be three abandoned fire extinguishers.
Up to 8,000 commuters were forced to find alternative routes into work as Hammersmith and Barons Court stations were closed for an hour.Up to 8,000 commuters were forced to find alternative routes into work as Hammersmith and Barons Court stations were closed for an hour.
There were also severe delays for motorists as Hammersmith Broadway was closed between King Street and Shepherd's Bush Road as well as Hammersmith Bridge.There were also severe delays for motorists as Hammersmith Broadway was closed between King Street and Shepherd's Bush Road as well as Hammersmith Bridge.
Tower Hill and East Ham Tube stations were shut during the morning rush-hour in a separate alert.Tower Hill and East Ham Tube stations were shut during the morning rush-hour in a separate alert.
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