Advertisement

Heathrow passenger carrying ‘decorative grenade’ sparks Terminal 2 evacuation

 (Reuters)
(Reuters)

A teenager has been arrested after the discovery of a “decorative grenade” in his luggage which led to the evacuation of Heathrow Terminal 2.

Police were called to the airport and the immediate area was evacuated after the suspect item was found in his luggage at around 5.30pm on Friday.

Specialist officers said they investigated the item and found it posed no threat but arrested the 19-year-old for carrying a prohibited item in an aerodrome.

A source said the teenager had packed a “decorative grenade” in his luggage and has been arrested on a technicality.

One concerned passenger tweeted: “Heathrow Terminal 2 has been completely evacuated after reports of unattended baggage being left in the airport.”

The airport had initally tweeted: “Our teams are currently responding to a suspect item found in Terminal 2.

“Terminal 5 remains fully open and operational. We apologise to our passengers for any inconvenience caused.”

A Met spokesman said: "Police were called to Terminal 2 at Heathrow Airport shortly before 17:30hrs following concern about an item found in a passenger's luggage.

"A cordon was put in place and the immediate area was evacuated. Specialist officers have investigated the item and found it poses no threat.

"The cordon is being lifted.

"A 19-year-old man has been arrested for carrying a prohibited article in an aerodrome. He will be taken to a west London police.

“Flights continued to take off and depart from the airport throughout the incident.”