Leeds Bradford Airport Terminal Evacuated over Security Alert
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Bradford Airport in the city of Leeds in the northern English county of Yorkshire was evacuated due to a “security alert” after police were called to a “suspicious package” last night.
Cops confirmed officers were called to the airport just after 8pm and a cordon was in place as flights were diverted.
A tweet from the airport account confirmed the terminal was evacuated, the Sun reported.
Passengers began tweeting about the disruption just after 9pm as they queried what had happened.
A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “At 8.09pm Saturday, May 13, police were called to a report of a suspicious package at Leeds Bradford Airport. A cordon is in place.”
A bomb disposal team from Catterick rushed to the airport after police were called to the security scare.
An LBA spokesman said: “Leeds Bradford Airport is currently closed after a suspicious package was reported.
“All passengers have been safely evacuated from the terminal building. West Yorkshire Police are on site and further information will be issued in due course.”
Two flights reportedly landed at the airport just after 12.30am as a statement was released confirming the terminal had re-opened.
The spokesman added just after midnight: “We have now re-opened the terminal and operations have re-started.
“The safety and wellbeing of everybody on site is our first priority and after a short closure, a controlled explosion on a suspicious package was carried out by the police. We ask that passengers with any flight queries contact their airline directly.”
Amid the confusion people reported being stuck in other airports, such as Dublin, as they remained on the tarmac and unable to fly to Leeds Bradford Airport.
It was reported Air Traffic Control at the airport had also been evacuated so inbound flights were rerouted. It was said five flights were queued to land at the time of the evacuation. Some planes due to lane were diverted to Manchester and Newcastle.
As well as passengers waiting in other airports, some flights apparently landed at Leeds Bradford Airport ahead of the security alert and passengers were still waiting to leave the plane at about 10pm.
Sean Hornby tweeted there was a “jovial atmosphere” on board as snacks were handed out for those waiting on the runway. He posted: “Sat for an hour now on the plane due to security issues at Leeds Bradford Airport.
“Tea and coffee now being offered. Hurray!”
He told the Sun Online there was “nothing else to report” as they waited on the runway.
He added: “A lot of people being diverted to other airports thought. Coffee nearly here too.”
Vicky Myers posted: “At Dublin airport being told Leeds Bradford is closed and we can’t fly. Anyone know why?”
She told the Sun Online: “I am currently sat on the runway in Dublin airport. Our flight was supposed to leave at 8.55 but we are still sat here.
“All we have been told by the crew is that Leeds Bradford airport is closed and we are waiting to find out more.”
