London police arrest man suspected of taking tear gas to Heathrow
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Passengers walking back to Heathrow's reopened Terminal 4 on Sept 8, after emergency services responded to what they called a "possible hazardous materials incident".
PHOTO: REUTERS
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- A 57-year-old man was arrested at Heathrow Airport for possessing suspected tear gas (CS spray) in Terminal 4.
- The incident caused the check-in area to briefly shut down, with around 20 people reporting irritation.
- Police confirmed the substance was CS spray, but injuries were not life-threatening and the incident is not terrorism-related.
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LONDON – London police on Sept 9 arrested a 57-year-old man suspected of taking what is thought to be tear gas into Heathrow Airport, causing Terminal 4’s check-in area to briefly shut down.
The check-in area at Britain’s main international airport was evacuated for around three hours
“Following urgent inquiries, a 57-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm (CS spray) and causing a public nuisance,” a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said.
After a search of the area, “Met officers located a cannister of what is believed to be CS spray. It is thought that this substance caused a reaction to those within the airport”, the police said.
CS spray is a riot control agent, also known as tear gas, which can cause a burning sensation to the eyes, throat, lungs and skin.
Police said around 20 people reported symptoms of irritation and were treated by paramedics, but the spray “did not cause any life-changing/threatening injuries”.
The man remains in police custody and the incident is not being treated as terrorism-related. AFP
