On Friday, November 22, 2024, UK police carried out a controlled explosion near the United States embassy in London after finding a suspicious package that was later identified as a hoax device. The incident occurred at Nine Elms, south of the River Thames, prompting security measures, including road closures.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device,” stated the Metropolitan Police via their X account (formerly Twitter).Simultaneously, a security alert at Gatwick Airport’s south terminal resulted in a large-scale evacuation. Police discovered a suspected prohibited item in luggage, deploying a bomb disposal unit as a precaution. After a four-hour closure, the terminal reopened, and the situation was resolved.
The incidents, though unrelated, highlight heightened security measures in the UK, with disruptions including the cancellation of at least 16 flights by British Airways at Gatwick.
UK authorities remain vigilant against potential threats, reinforcing the need for robust response protocols in sensitive locations like airports and embassies.
