Gatwick Airport’s North Terminal was evacuated on Saturday morning following the activation of a fire alarm, leaving hundreds of passengers confused and frustrated during the unexpected disruption.
The alarm reportedly sounded at around 7 AM, prompting a full evacuation of the terminal building. Travellers took to social media to express their bewilderment at the situation, with several describing being “crammed like sardines” outside the terminal and claiming they were given minimal information about what was happening.
Rumours quickly spread online suggesting the alarm may have been triggered by a passenger who allegedly opened an emergency exit door to vape. However, a spokesperson for London Gatwick was quick to quash these claims, confirming that the evacuation was purely the result of a standard fire alarm activation.
In a statement, the airport said, “The North Terminal was evacuated this morning following a fire alarm activation. The terminal is now back open and evacuated passengers have been processed back through security as quickly as possible.”
Operations resumed by approximately 8.30 AM, with all passengers safely returned to the terminal. Flights are expected to run as scheduled for the remainder of the day.
Not the First Time
This morning’s evacuation comes just months after a more serious alert at Gatwick in November, when a suspicious package led to the airport being placed in lockdown. At the time, armed officers and a bomb disposal unit were deployed to the scene, and a security cordon was established while the incident was handled.
Passengers then, much like today, reported being ushered out of the terminal with little explanation. One traveller recalled being told abruptly by staff, “We’re evacuating, you’ve got to leave,” as armed police took up positions near the security area.
Although today’s incident was resolved without major impact on flight schedules, some passengers voiced frustration at the lack of communication during the evacuation.
While the airport has reassured the public that safety procedures were followed and disruptions minimised, the episode highlights ongoing concerns over emergency response protocols and communication with travellers during such events.
