Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 4 was partially evacuated on Monday evening after emergency services responded to reports of a possible hazardous material incident. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said crews were called to the terminal at around 17:00 BST to assess the scene.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that specialist officers attended alongside fire and ambulance services. After a thorough search, authorities reported that no trace of any adverse substance had been found. The investigation into the cause of the incident remains ongoing.
A large crowd of passengers gathered outside the terminal as fire crews and emergency responders carried out their assessment. Many travelers were temporarily unable to access the check-in area while safety procedures were followed.
Twenty-one people received assessment from the London Ambulance Service. Of these, 20 were discharged on-site, while one person was taken to hospital. None of the reported injuries were deemed life-threatening or life-changing by the Met.
Earlier, National Rail services to the terminal were disrupted as trains were unable to call at Terminal 4 due to the emergency response. Despite this, Heathrow said disruptions to flights arriving and departing from the terminal were minimal during the evacuation.
A Heathrow spokesperson apologised for the inconvenience, stating that the airport was working closely with airlines to ensure flights departed as scheduled. Terminal 4 reopened to passengers shortly after 20:00 BST.
On social media, Heathrow reassured travelers that the airport was taking all necessary measures to minimise disruption. Passengers were advised to follow instructions from staff and stay updated on flight information.
Junior Jones, a passenger at the scene, described hundreds of people waiting outside the terminal alongside numerous ambulances and emergency vehicles. The atmosphere was tense, but airport staff worked to maintain order and communicate updates.
Both the London Fire Brigade and the Metropolitan Police have confirmed that enquiries into the cause of the incident are continuing. Authorities emphasised that public safety was their top priority and praised the cooperation of passengers during the evacuation.
Heathrow continues to manage high passenger volumes while ensuring safety procedures are strictly adhered to. The airport reiterated its commitment to providing timely updates to all travelers and preventing further disruption.
As of the evening, all affected areas of Terminal 4 were reopened, and normal operations resumed. Heathrow thanked passengers for their patience and cooperation during the safety incident.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
