LONDON- Two dozen people were injured after a robbery involving pepper spray triggered panic inside a parking garage elevator at London Heathrow Airport (LHR). Authorities confirmed the incident was criminal in nature and not related to terrorism.
The early morning attack disrupted access to Terminal 3 for several hours as police, fire crews, and medical teams secured the area and treated victims.
Photo: London Heathrow
London Heathrow Terminal 3 Incident
The incident occurred at around 8:00 am on December 7 inside a multi-story parking garage connected to Heathrow Terminal 3.
A woman was robbed of her suitcase while standing inside a car park elevator. During the robbery, suspects sprayed a substance believed to be pepper spray directly into the confined space.
The spray affected everyone inside the lift and nearby areas. Panic spread quickly as passengers struggled to escape the enclosed environment. Emergency calls followed within minutes, prompting an immediate multi-agency response.
According to PYOK, initial reports confirmed one arrest, but investigators now believe four suspects were involved in the robbery.
Photo: London Heathrow U.K. – Boeing 747-400 08 | London Heathrow A… | Flickr
Injuries and Emergency Response
A total of 26 people sustained injuries, including a three-year-old child. Five individuals were transported to a nearby hospital by the London Ambulance Service.
Police later confirmed that none of the injuries were considered life-threatening or life-changing.
The London Ambulance Service received the first emergency call at approximately 8:04 am. The Metropolitan Police followed at 8:11 am, deploying armed officers as a precaution. The London Fire Brigade was also dispatched to assist with the response, with most units standing down by late morning.
Photo: File: Heathrow Airport – geograph.org.uk – 2078747.jpg – Wikimedia Commons
Police Investigation and Security Measures
Metropolitan Police Commander Peter Stevens stated that officers moved quickly to review CCTV footage and gather witness statements from the scene.
Authorities believe the suspects were known to one another and emphasized that the incident was not terrorism-related.
One 31-year-old man remains in police custody on suspicion of assault. Investigations are ongoing to identify and locate the remaining suspects connected to the robbery.
Photo: London Heathrow Airport
Airport Disruption and Official Response
During the emergency response, access to central terminal areas was restricted. Some transport services, including trains connecting the airport to central London, were temporarily paused.
Heathrow Airport later confirmed via its official communication channels that operations had returned to normal within hours. Airport officials thanked passengers for their patience while emergency teams resolved the situation.
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