Gatwick Airport had to be evacuated this afternoon after a fire alarm went off. Some airport travellers present for the evacuation claimed: “it smelled like smoke.” The incident comes as thousands of passengers jet off for their summer holiday. Images shared on social media show huge crowds gathering as fliers are ushered out of the airport.
BBC journalist Enric Botella took to Twitter to share his experience after he was caught up in the incident.
“Gatwick South Terminal being evacuated right now because of a fire alarm. It smelled like smoke but I didn’t see it,” he tweeted.
Botella also posted a video from the scene showing passengers walking through the hub as a loud alarm sounds.
He later uploaded photos of them standing outside the terminal as they waited to be let back in.
“Everyone I saw was calmed. The alarm rang and everyone walked to the emergency exits without rushing,” he said.
Another traveller shared a photo of hordes of passengers in the airport with the caption: “#Gatwick airport #evacuation happening now.”
He also criticised the process, tweeting: “Very disappointing Health and Safety, so many kids and elderly stuck in the hot room, without any explanation or direction. Everyone is confused and #Gatwick evacuation process is a total mess.”
Gatwick Airport has said there was no fire. An airport spokesman told Express.co.uk that it was “a precautionary evacuation.”
“Most people have now returned to the terminal,” the Gatwick spokesman added.
Botella filmed the moment the passengers re-entered the terminal, with the caption: “Back in.”
The evacuation comes hours after British Airways experienced IT problems leaving passengers struggling with online check-in.
Fliers took to social media to share their gripes with the British airline on Twitter.
Passengers tweeted their complaints on Twitter. “Huge queues at @Gatwick_Airport South in @British_Airways check-in with systems failure and baggage failures,” one person wrote.
“Really would have thought by now an airport the size of Gatwick could run a decent check-in service. No breakfast for me this morning.”
British Airways responded to the message: “We’re sorry for the delays at London Gatwick today. We are aware and we hope to have this resolved soon. Please accept our apologies for any frustration caused.”
British Airways have now confirmed the temporary IT problem has now been solved.
“Check-in is operating as normal,” a BA spokesman told Express.co.uk. “There was a minor temporary server issue but the system is fully up and running and check-in is functioning as normal.”
