Travel chaos erupted at Heathrow Airport on Monday afternoon when what is believed to be a canister of tear gas forced the closure of Terminal 4.
Passengers and staff were caught off guard as the terminal was evacuated, leading to a tense few hours for thousands trying to travel.
Man Arrested Amid Incident
A 57-year-old man was taken into custody on Tuesday in connection with the incident.
Police said he is suspected of possessing a firearm—specifically CS spray—and causing a public nuisance.
Authorities have confirmed that the situation is not being treated as terrorism-related, and the man remains in police custody while investigations continue.
Injuries and Emergency Response
Around 21 people reported injuries during what the Metropolitan Police described as a “potential hazardous materials incident,” though only one person required hospital treatment.
Emergency services, including specialist officers, fire crews, and paramedics, quickly responded.
The Met explained that the response involved a thorough search of the area, during which officers located the canister believed to have caused irritation.
Most reported symptoms were minor and did not result in serious or life-threatening injuries.
Chaos and Evacuation
The scare unfolded shortly before 5pm, triggering a wave of panic among passengers.
The terminal remained closed for about three hours, disrupting flights and leaving crowds stranded outside.
Evacuated travelers were joined by would-be passengers whose flights were delayed or canceled, creating a tense atmosphere.
Airport staff were seen distributing water bottles to those waiting outside, while emergency personnel donned white protective suits as a precaution.
By shortly after 8pm, authorities declared the terminal safe to reopen.
Heathrow and Police Statements
A Heathrow spokesperson reassured travelers:
“Emergency services have confirmed Terminal 4 is safe to reopen.
We are doing everything we can to ensure all flights depart as planned today.
We apologize for the disruption and emphasize that the safety and security of our passengers and colleagues is our number one priority.”
The Met Police echoed the reassurance, noting that specialist teams had attended the scene and conducted a thorough search to ensure the area was safe.
Travel chaos erupted at Heathrow Airport on Monday afternoon when what is believed to be a canister of tear gas forced the closure of Terminal 4.
Passengers and staff were caught off guard as the terminal was evacuated, leading to a tense few hours for thousands trying to travel.
Man Arrested Amid Incident
A 57-year-old man was taken into custody on Tuesday in connection with the incident.
Police said he is suspected of possessing a firearm—specifically CS spray—and causing a public nuisance.
Authorities have confirmed that the situation is not being treated as terrorism-related, and the man remains in police custody while investigations continue.
Injuries and Emergency Response
Around 21 people reported injuries during what the Metropolitan Police described as a “potential hazardous materials incident,” though only one person required hospital treatment.
Emergency services, including specialist officers, fire crews, and paramedics, quickly responded.
The Met explained that the response involved a thorough search of the area, during which officers located the canister believed to have caused irritation.
Most reported symptoms were minor and did not result in serious or life-threatening injuries.
Chaos and Evacuation
The scare unfolded shortly before 5pm, triggering a wave of panic among passengers.
The terminal remained closed for about three hours, disrupting flights and leaving crowds stranded outside.
Evacuated travelers were joined by would-be passengers whose flights were delayed or canceled, creating a tense atmosphere.
Airport staff were seen distributing water bottles to those waiting outside, while emergency personnel donned white protective suits as a precaution.
By shortly after 8pm, authorities declared the terminal safe to reopen.
Heathrow and Police Statements
A Heathrow spokesperson reassured travelers:
“Emergency services have confirmed Terminal 4 is safe to reopen.
We are doing everything we can to ensure all flights depart as planned today.
We apologize for the disruption and emphasize that the safety and security of our passengers and colleagues is our number one priority.”
The Met Police echoed the reassurance, noting that specialist teams had attended the scene and conducted a thorough search to ensure the area was safe.