Heathrow Terminal 4 Reopens After Hazmat Scare

Heathrow Airport's Terminal 4 has fully reopened and returned to normal operations following a "possible hazardous materials incident" that led to a precautionary evacuation.

The incident, which began around 5:01 PM BST, was officially stood down by emergency services at 7:55 PM BST after specialist teams determined the situation was a false alarm.

The London Fire Brigade, along with other emergency services, responded with a large-scale presence, including crews trained in handling hazardous materials. Their rapid and cautious response, including the deployment of people in protective white suits and the erection of privacy screens, was a standard procedure for such a potential threat. The evacuation was a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all passengers and staff.

While the exact nature of the initial alarm has not been officially confirmed, sources suggest it was triggered by a suspicious package in the check-in area. The contents of the package were thoroughly assessed and found to be non-hazardous.

The disruption, which caused significant delays for travelers and temporarily affected rail services to the terminal, has now ended. All flights and train services from Terminal 4 are resuming, and passengers are being allowed back into the building to continue with their journeys.