How the chaos at London Heathrow’s Terminal 4 unfolded

9 Sep 2025 • 8:33 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • London Heathrow Airport's Terminal 4 was evacuated on Monday evening due to a reported “possible hazardous materials” incident.
  • Police, fire, and ambulance services responded, with specialist teams in hazmat suits searching the terminal, but no adverse substances were found.
  • The incident caused significant disruption, delaying dozens of flights by up to four hours and affecting thousands of passengers, many of whom missed onward connections.
  • Around 20 people reported injuries, and a Metropolitan Police insider suggested the panic may have been a 'mass hysteria event'.
  • Terminal 4 reopened later that evening, and operations returned to normal on Tuesday, with Heathrow apologising for the disruption.

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