East Midlands Airport evacuated after ‘suspicious device’ discovered inside hand luggage

EAST Midlands Airport was evacuated on Tuesday afternoon after a suspicious device was found in an item of hand luggage.

Operations at the airport have been severely disrupted, as a spokesperson said there had been a "full response" to the incident, and a police cordon was in place.

Hundreds of people at the airport were removed after a suspicious device was found in an item of hand luggage.

Eight flights due to take off are still yet to depart due to the evacuation, impacting some 3,000 passengers.

A further three flights due to land at East Midlands were diverted elsewhere.

Travellers have reported scenes of "mayhem"; at the airport in Castle Donington, Leicestershire.

One passenger tweeted: "Any idea what is happening at East Midlands Airport? Airport departures evacuated."

They added that they had been "told to stay put" in the lounge by airport staff, but hadn't been told what was happening.

Passenger Sarah Hartles, who was at the airport to board a flight to Rhodes, told ITV News that they hadn't been given any information.

"All we were told was 'Get Up and Move!'" she said. "They've placed us in a part of the airport they have said is safe.

"There's nothing on the boards and no one saying anything other than no one is going anywhere."

Another visitor told : "The departures at the airport has been evacuated and police have arrived. Staff saying security incident."

They described the scene as "mayhem".

One passenger claimed their flight had been diverted to Manchester as a result of the chaos.

According to the BBC, passengers have been told that no flights will be boarding at the airport until further notice.

A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police told The Sun Online: "Shortly after 3.10pm today (Tuesday 10 May) a report was received in relation to a suspicious package being located within the main terminal at East Midlands Airport.

"In the interest of officer and public safety, the terminal has been evacuated.

"Explosive Ordnance Disposal were called to assist officers and determined the item did not pose any risk of harm to the public.

"No criminal offences were identified, no one has been arrested and the call was made in line with appropriate protocol."

Just after 6pm Tuesday, East Midlands Airport said in a statement: "Following reports of a suspicious package, East Midlands Airport’s terminal was evacuated this afternoon as a precaution to enable police to carry out our necessary enquiries.

"It has now re-opened and we are working with the airlines to get passengers away on their flights.

"We thank customers for their patience and understanding."

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service have said they are not involved in the incident.

It comes amid chaotic scenes at British airports which have caused travel delays across the country.

Today, a number of passengers, put off by the queues at Birmingham Airport, decided to fly from East Midlands instead.

Birmingham Airport warned travellers to "arrive five hours early" for their flights.