Multiple ambulances pictured outside Britain’s busiest airport as passengers told not to travel to terminal
Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 4 has been evacuated whilst emergency services respond to an ongoing “incident”, with passengers being urged not to travel to the terminal. The nature of the incident has not been confirmed by authorities.
A Heathrow Airport spokesperson said: “Terminal 4 check-in has been closed and evacuated while emergency services respond to an incident. We are asking passengers not to travel to Terminal 4 and supporting those on site. All other terminals are operating as normal. We will provide further information as soon as we can.”
Pictures circulating on social media show multiple ambulances stationed outside the terminal building, suggesting a significant emergency response is underway. The extent of any injuries or the cause of the incident remains unclear at this time.
Transport Disruption
National Rail has confirmed that trains are not calling at Heathrow Terminal 4 station due to “emergency services dealing with an incident. Passengers attempting to reach the terminal by rail are being advised to seek alternative arrangements.
The Elizabeth line and Heathrow Express services to Terminal 4 have been suspended, with Transport for London (TfL) confirming the station closure. Services to other Heathrow terminals continue to operate, though passengers should expect potential knock-on delays.
A National Rail spokesperson said: “Trains are currently unable to call at Heathrow Terminal 4 due to the emergency services dealing with an incident at the station. Passengers are advised to use alternative transport or travel to other terminals where possible.
Passengers Advised to Check Flight Status
Airlines operating from Terminal 4 have not yet issued formal statements regarding flight delays or cancellations. However, passengers scheduled to depart from the terminal are being strongly advised to contact their airlines directly for the latest flight information.
Terminal 4 primarily serves airlines including Air France, KLM, Qatar Airways, and several other international carriers. The terminal handles approximately 10 million passengers annually and is a crucial hub for European and Middle Eastern connections.
Passengers already at the terminal are reportedly being supported by airport staff, though specific evacuation procedures and assembly points have not been disclosed. Those inside the terminal when the evacuation began have been moved to safe areas whilst emergency services work at the scene.
Other Terminals Operating Normally
Heathrow has confirmed that Terminals 2, 3, and 5 remain fully operational, with no reported disruption to services at these locations. The airport is advising passengers travelling through these terminals to arrive as normal but to allow extra time for potential increased congestion.
Terminal 5, which serves as British Airways‘ main hub, and Terminal 2, known as “The Queen’s Terminal”, are both operating standard schedules. Terminal 3, which was briefly evacuated in July due to a fire alarm, is also functioning normally.
Emergency Response
The presence of multiple ambulances suggests a medical element to the incident, though Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade have not yet released statements regarding their involvement or the nature of the emergency.
Heathrow Airport, Britain’s busiest aviation hub, handles over 80 million passengers annually across its four operational terminals. Terminal 4, whilst the smallest of the active terminals, plays a vital role in the airport’s international connectivity.
Previous Incidents
This is not the first time Heathrow has faced terminal evacuations this year. In July, Terminal 3 was temporarily evacuated following a fire alarm activation, causing significant delays during one of the busiest travel weekends of the summer. That incident was resolved within hours with no injuries reported.
The airport has faced criticism in recent months over its emergency response procedures, particularly following a major power outage in March that resulted in the cancellation of over 1,300 flights and affected approximately 270,000 passengers.
Ongoing Situation
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Emergency services remain on scene, and the terminal remains closed to all passengers.
Passengers with flights scheduled to depart from Terminal 4 today are urged to:
- Contact their airline immediately for rebooking options
- Do not travel to Terminal 4 until further notice
- Check the Heathrow Airport website and social media channels for updates
- Consider alternative transport arrangements if travelling to other terminals
Anyone with relatives or friends who may be affected by the evacuation is advised to attempt contact directly, as airport phone lines are likely to be extremely busy.
The airport has activated its incident response team and is working closely with emergency services to manage the situation. Further statements are expected as the situation develops.
This is a breaking news story. More updates to follow.
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