Travellers at Gatwick Airport have reported chaotic scenes as the South Terminal was evacuated following a fire alarm on Thursday morning.
People were evacuated from the departure lounge after the alarm was activated, the airport said.
“Our dedicated Airport Fire Service swiftly attended and confirmed there was no fire,” it said in a statement posted to X.
“Passengers are being allowed back into the Departure Lounge.”
@Gatwick_Airport fire alarm sounded and whole terminal evacuated! Any idea what’s going on? pic.twitter.com/d4lH3JdgtT
— Ellie (@eotphonehome) May 9, 2024
One passenger reported staff as “clueless” and the ordeal “awful”.
Ryan Amstad wrote on X: “A fire alarm at Gatwick Airport and staff are as clueless as guests as to the procedures on how to safely exit. No fire marshalls, signage pointing the wrong way. Eventually found a way out. Awful.”
Incredible. A fire alarm at @Gatwick_Airport and staff are as clueless as guests as to the procedures on how to safely exit. No fire Marshalls, signage pointing the wrong way. Eventually found a way out. Awful. pic.twitter.com/DfNx2Cs4nq
— Ryan Amstad (@ryanamstad) May 9, 2024
Another person added: “Was all very sudden and chaotic for a while. People running around everywhere and very confused. Never experienced a big evacuation at Gatwick Airport before, don’t want to again!”
Authorities have advised travellers to check their flight statuses ahead of time.
On social media platform X, Clarity, a travel agency, said: "Clarity advises travellers flying to from or through London Gatwick Airport to confirm their flight status in advance of departure and allow additional time for processing through the airport."
A spokesperson for Gatwick Airport said: “London Gatwick’s South Terminal Departure Lounge was evacuated for a short time this morning due to a fire alarm activation. Our dedicated Airport Fire Service swiftly attended and confirmed there was no fire. Passengers are being allowed back into the Departure Lounge. Safety and security are our top priority and we resolved the situation as quickly as possible."
