London’s Heathrow Airport, one of the world’s busiest travel hubs, is shut down till midnight. This is because the airport suffered a major power failure due to a fire at an electrical substation supplying the facility. Not just the airport but more than 16,000 homes in the area were left without electricity after the fire broke out.
London Heathrow Airport Shut Down For The Day
Heathrow Airport in London will remain closed throughout Friday. The airport authorities took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce that “Heathrow is experiencing a significant power outage” due to a fire at an electrical substation supplying the airport. So, to maintain the safety of passengers and people working at the airport, they have decided to shut it down till midnight on March 21. They also advised passengers “not to travel to the airport” and “contact their airline for further information.”
Following this, major airlines like British Airways, Emirates, and Air India also announced that all the flights to London’s Heathrow Airport for Friday have been cancelled. British Airways added that they are “looking for travel options for the next 24 hours and beyond” for passenger convenience.
According to the Economic Times, at least 120 flights were diverted mid-air to alternative locations. Overall, almost 1,351 flights were cancelled at London’s Heathrow Airport on March 21 due to airport closure.
Fire Causes Power Outage In The Area
While Heathrow Airport has been shut down due to a power outage, more than 16,000 homes in the western part of London were left without electricity. According to local media reports, over 150 people were also evacuated after the fire broke out.
The blaze was active till 11:34 AM (India time) and the London Fire Brigade had deployed 10 fire engines, around 70 firefighters, and a 200-metre safety cordon to douse the fire. Residents in London’s Hillingdon borough were told to stay inside and keep doors and windows closed because of the smoke.
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If you’re planning to travel to or from London soon, then please stay updated on all the latest developments. Check airport and airline updates regularly to ensure seamless travel.
Cover Image Courtesy: X/Taymur959 & Canva (representative image)
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