Sunday morning at London’s Heathrow Airport turned unusually tense when a sudden pepper spray incident in the Terminal 3 parking area caused confusion, injuries, and major flight disruptions. What had begun as a fight resulted in armed police, ambulances, and emergency teams racing to one of the busiest airports in the world.
Pepper Spray Caused Serious Panic At London’s Heathrow Airport
It all started in the Terminal 3 multi-storey car park, where a group of people got into a heated argument. Things took a dangerous turn when one or more men used what appeared to be pepper spray, leaving several people coughing, tearing up, and struggling to breathe. Naturally, travellers nearby were startled, and soon after, emergency calls began to come in.
The Metropolitan Police acted immediately, News 18 reported. Armed response officers rushed to the scene, along with the London Ambulance Service. According to the police, one man was arrested on suspicion of assault, and other suspects who fled the scene are still being traced. Police stressed that all injuries were non-life-threatening, though some victims were taken to a hospital for further checks. As per the News 18 report, the police even reassured the public, saying this was an argument that simply went too far.
The Chaos Caused Major Travel Delays
Since the incident happened outside the terminal, access roads and parts of the parking lot were blocked, causing disruption for many travellers. Passengers struggled to arrive at the terminal on time, and the airport advised travellers to allow themselves more time. As a result, several flights were delayed as airlines waited for passengers who were stranded outside.
According to News 18 reports, a number of people experienced pepper spray effects such as burning eyes, coughing, and shortness of breath. Ambulance teams treated them quickly, and a few were taken to the hospital for precautionary checks. Thankfully, none of the injuries were serious.
As the search for other suspects and eyewitnesses continues, the Metropolitan Police has thanked passengers and staff for their calm cooperation during what could have been a far more frightening incident.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/Rossographer
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