This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/08/london-luton-airport-evacuated-suspicious-item-found

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
London Luton airport evacuated after suspicious item is found London Luton airport evacuated after suspect package found
(about 1 hour later)
A major airport has been evacuated following a security alert, disrupting air travel for thousands of passengers. Hundreds of passengers have been evacuated from a major London airport after a suspect package was discovered.
Pictures posted on Twitter showed travellers massed outside the terminal at Luton airport in Bedfordshire. Bomb-disposal experts were called in after the package was found at London Luton airport on Monday afternoon, causing all incoming flights to be cancelled.
A spokeswoman for the airport said: "London Luton airport has evacuated the terminal building after a suspicious item was found in the security search area. A Bedfordshire police spokesman said the suspect package was discovered in the security search area of the departure terminal shortly after 1.30pm.
"The decision has been taken with the police to ensure the safety and security of passengers and staff. Further updates regarding the security and operations at the airport will be provided as soon as possible." Hundreds of passengers were evacuated from the airport as a security precaution, with several using Twitter to describe the "chaos" as it unfolded.
Luton said later that all incoming flights had been suspended and the approach road to the airport had been closed. "Chaos at Luton Airport – being told to remain where we are on speakers, while at the same time being told to evacuate," tweeted Luke Miller.
An airport spokeswoman added: "Passengers are advised to contact their airlines to establish the status of their flights." Paul Green, who was due to fly to Edinburgh, said the mood was "pretty calm" once passengers were evacuated but complained that they had been given no information by airport staff.
"Once everyone was out and it became apparent that there was no fire – because the first alarm said it was a fire alarm – everyone was fairly calm," he said.
"There's been no update from anyone. If it wasn't for Twitter we wouldn't know anything."
Green had passed through security when the evacuation was announced. He said he suspected something was not right as he was approaching the x-ray scanners.
He said: "I was going through security and the queue suddenly disappeared behind me – this was about 20 minutes before the alarm sounded. It took about 10 minutes to evacuate everyone.
"There was a woman running around telling the x-ray operators something and I asked them what was happening but they didn't know."
A spokeswoman for London Luton airport said: "We understand passengers will be frustrated by the delays they are experiencing.
"We are working closely with the police to ensure passengers are not inconvenienced unnecessarily but we must ensure that the safety and security of all our passengers and staff remains our top priority."