Glasgow Airport: International Terminal evacuated as emergency crew respond

The International Terminal of Glasgow Airport was evacuated on Friday as the emergency crew responded to a situation involving an aircraft. Two passengers were also treated by paramedics after an alarm was raised around 10 am about a piece of cargo on a KLM flight arriving from Amsterdam.

 After the investigation, it was found that the package in question contained vaccines, packed in dry ice, which began leaking. A spokesperson told Glasgow Live: "KLM confirms that on board KL1473, operating between Amsterdam and Glasgow, a package packed in dry ice started to leak.

"The package contained glass tubes with vaccines. These tubes have remained intact with only the cooling around them starting to leak. As a precaution, the fire brigade cordoned off the immediate vicinity of the aircraft."

A nearby Virgin Atlantic flight close to the KLM aircraft was delayed as a result of the emergency. Passengers were taken off the plane and were being held in the terminal.

Glasgow Airport bosses said that the incident had been stood down around 1.25 pm local time this afternoon. And that the package was declared safe by emergency services.

It was reported that around 20 fire crews were on the scene at the busy transport hub this afternoon. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that they were at the scene.

Worried locals took to social media after spotting the large police presence at the airport. Online reports suggest police and ambulance staff were also on the site attending the aircraft.

A spokesperson for Glasgow Airport said: “At approximately 10 am today, the airport fire service attended an arriving KLM flight in response to concerns raised over a piece of cargo."

A spokesperson for Glasgow Airport said: “At approximately 10am today, the airport fire service attended an arriving KLM flight in response to concerns raised over a piece of cargo." 1/2 pic.twitter.com/w7R4M6f4mg

— Glasgow Airport (@GLA_Airport) October 4, 2019

"Enquiries are ongoing to determine the content of the package and the aircraft has been cordoned off pending the outcome of the investigation. All other parts of the airport are fully operational.”

"Enquiries are ongoing to determine the content of the package and the aircraft has been cordoned off pending the outcome of the investigation. All other parts of the airport are fully operational.” 2/2 pic.twitter.com/R4UnVIUhju

— Glasgow Airport (@GLA_Airport) October 4, 2019