Man held for running onto runway at Heathrow

British police said they planned to carry out a controlled detonation at London's Heathrow airport after a man was arrested running onto a runway carrying a bag.

British police said they planned to carry out a controlled detonation at London’s Heathrow airport after a man was arrested running onto a runway carrying a bag.

“I can confirm that at approximately 2:05 p.m. (1405 GMT) a man was seen airside at Heathrow airport on the northern runway. He’s been arrested by police and he’s currently in custody,” a police spokesman said. He declined to say whether the incident was considered terrorism-related.

“A bag has been recovered and obviously it will be examined,” he said.

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A police spokeswoman said a controlled explosion was expected “as a precaution”.

Television pictures showed several emergency cars with flashing lights parked on the airport runway.

“Airport police swiftly apprehended a man near the northern runway of Heathrow this afternoon. The police arrested the man at about 2 p.m. within the airport perimeter,” airport operator BAA said in a statement.

“The northern runway is now being partially used while police deal with the incident. The southern runway is fully operational but some delays are occuring as a result,” it said. BAA is owned by Spanish firm Ferrovial.

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A spokesman for British Airways, the largest user, said the incident would affect mostly short-haul flights.

“We expect to have to cancel a number of flights,” he said.

The fifth terminal of the world’s busiest international airport is due to be opened by Queen Elizabeth on Friday.