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6 months ago
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Passengers have been evacuated from Gatwick's South terminal after the fire alarm went off leading to chaos for holidaymakers who fear potential flight delays.
Social media posts showed chaotic scenes from the UK's second busiest show frantic scenes as thousands of confused passengers waited outside the terminal.
It is feared that flight delays are 'inevitable' following the drama with one X, formerly Twitter, user claiming: 'Staff say all flights not departing.'
Further footage from inside the departure lounge shows the moment the fire alarm went off with an announcement saying 'attention, the fire alarm has been activated.' Passengers can be seen leaving the departure lounge en masse to make their way outside.
Kevin Edger, who took the video, told MailOnline that he was waiting for his flight to Antigua to take off.
Mr Edger said: 'There's been no confirmation yet when we'll leave. We've been sat on the plane for 40 minutes now.'
One X user wrote: Fire alarm at Gatwick South terminal. Evacuated all passengers from Airside, no staff know what's going on. No coordination from anyone at the airport. Fun day.
Social media posts show chaotic scenes from the UK's second busiest show frantic scenes as thousands of confused passengers wait outside the terminal. It is feared that flight delays are 'inevitable' following the drama with one X, formerly Twitter , user claiming: 'Staff say all flights not departing'
Inside the terminal passengers have took to social media to share images of large queues of people making their way out of the airport
He also claims some passengers had to travel through airport security again after the evacuation after leaving the terminal.
One X user wrote: 'Fire alarm at Gatwick South terminal. Evacuated all passengers from Airside, no staff know what's going on. No coordination from anyone at the airport. Fun day.'
Another social media user said: 'More chaos at @Gatwick_Airport following fire alarm activation, and pre-security ques building. Guess I'll be missing my flight then....'
A person commented: 'A fire alarm at @Gatwick_Airport and staff are as clueless as guests as to the procedures on how to safely exit. No fire Marshalls, signage pointing the wrong way. Eventually found a way out. Awful.'
A London Gatwick spokesperson told MailOnline that the situation has since been resolved and passengers are returning to departures.
In a statement they said: 'London Gatwick's South Terminal Departure Lounge was evacuated for a short time this morning due to a fire alarm activation. Our dedicated Airport Fire Service swiftly attended and confirmed there was no fire. Passengers are being allowed back into the Departure Lounge. Safety and security are our top priority and we resolved the situation as quickly as possible.'
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