Gatwick latest: 'Chaos and tears' at airport after 'security alert' resolved by police

What is the situation like at the moment?

Passengers are slowly being allowed back into the South Terminal after being evacuated because of a security alert.

A look at the airport's website shows that a number of departure flights have told passengers to "enquire" with their airline.

The airlines showing this include British Airways, Iberia, Vueling, Ryanair and Aurigny.

There are over 20 flights that have the "enquire airline" instruction.

We are currently seeing only one delayed easyJet flight to Munich at 5.55pm.

Bomb disposal robot at Gatwick Airport

A bomb disposal robot was deployed to Gatwick Airport today after a suspicious item was found.

The building was closed to new passengers for several hours after Sussex Police deployed its bomb disposal unit.

Departures reopening at South Terminal

Passengers are slowly being allowed back into the South Terminal, but large queues are forming. 

One passenger, Anna, says there is a "laughable lack of information, advice or crowd management as we try to get back to South Terminal". 

21st birthday and Thanksgiving plans ruined

I was standing with hundreds of stranded passengers as they got the news of the terminal reopening. There were cheers at the time, but people are still in the dark and expect further cancellations to come.  

Olly and Liam are heading out to Miami for the weekend. They've had little news from the airline and if they lose a day, they say it feels a little pointless. 

"We've heard nothing," said Liam. "Hopefully we can get there because we're only there for the weekend. If we can't we might as well cancel the whole thing." 

Denise is heading to New York for Thanksgiving, but the airline she's flying with doesn't operate every day. The next flight isn't until Sunday.  

Another man, Harry, was heading out to Dublin for his 21st birthday with five friends. But he says the same - he's had little information from the airline, and even now the terminal is open, he's not feeling hopeful. 

What are your rights if your flight is delayed or cancelled?

After today's security incident, some passengers were left on planes that weren't taking off, while others were stranded in the airport for hours.

Although the incident has now been resolved and cleared, there are still expected to be some delays and cancellations. 

So what are your rights if your flight has been delayed or cancelled? Read more below...

People 'crying and panicking'

Carys McCullough says she is still stranded at the North Terminal "with no way of getting back". 

Gatwick Airport said it would reopen the South Terminal shortly, but many passengers are worried as their flights are scheduled to leave soon. 

"It has turned into chaos here now," Ms McCullough said. "We are trying to stay calm but [there are] lots of crying people who are panicking." 

Security incident has been resolved - Gatwick Airport

We've just got a new update from Gatwick Airport announcing that the security incident "has been resolved and cleared by police". 

The South Terminal has begun reopening to staff and will be open to passengers shortly, it said. 

Trains will begin calling at the airport again once the terminal has fully reopened. 

"We would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding while this situation was resolved. Safety and security is always our top priority," the airport said. 

"There are some delays and cancellations. Passengers should contact their airline for any updates on flights."

Local buses disrupted - as little change for stranded passengers

Little information is being released about today's security incident, with Gatwick's South Terminal remaining closed and transport services also not stopping at the airport. 

Railway operator Southern says its trains are still not stopping at Gatwick "until further notice". 

"Local buses are also disrupted and are not calling at Gatwick Airport - there are limited alternative routes," it said.

Meanwhile, Gatwick Express says the situation "remains the same until we have been advised otherwise by the police and emergency services".

Passengers stuck on arriving flights

Dean has got in touch to say he's arrived at Gatwick Airport on a flight from Malta but is stuck on the tarmac. 

Passengers have been told to remain seated for the time being and the plane is powering down. 

He says people on board are "understandably frustrated, especially the gentleman seated next to me". 

South Terminal 'remains closed as a precaution'

The latest we've got from Gatwick Airport is that the South Terminal remains closed "as a precaution" while security teams continue to investigate. 

In an update on X, a spokesperson for the airport wrote: "Passengers are not able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing and trains are not currently stopping at Gatwick Airport. 

"Safety and security of our passengers and staff remains our top priority. Passengers should contact their airline for further information." 

'We couldn't get home even if we wanted to'

Another passenger, Mark, says he has been outside for three hours. 

"Even if we wanted to go home, all the trains have been stopped and taxis can't get in," he says. 

"I feel sorry for others who have children or need care." 

Like many others, Mark says he has received no communication or updates on what is happening. 

"People have been moved from place to place outside in the cold," he says.

Elderly couple 'hugging each other to keep warm'

Those stranded outside the airport say they have been left "freezing" - and many are airing their frustrations to us on WhatsApp. 

"Am freezing... so is my partner," one passenger says. 

"An elderly couple close by are hugging each other to keep warm."

They added: "We are hungry, cold, and tired... and the only info we have is that we are invited to attend service at North Terminal!! Security keep coming and going."

Copenhagen flight departs with 'handful' of passengers

A passenger has got in touch with us to say they managed to board their Norwegian flight to Copenhagen.

"I managed to be in front of the security closure. I'm now on a plane about to depart with a handful of passengers," they said. 

The flight departed two hours late with about 30 people on board. 

Gatwick Airport releases update

We've just had a short update from Gatwick Airport, which says the incident is continuing. 

"Thank you for your patience while we deal with a security incident at the South Terminal," it says.

"While this continues, please contact your airline for flight status updates."

Crowds wait for mono rail to reopen

A large group has gathered near the platform for the mono rail taking passengers from the North to the South Terminal. 

The service isn't operating currently but people are waiting for it to start again. 

Luke, who was due to fly to Paris, says people had just been evacuated as he arrived. 

He says there is a "heavy police presence" with sniffer dogs.

-SKY NEWS