06 September 2023 , 14:31
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Passengers travelling through Manchester Airport are facing major delays at security due to a "national incident", with reports suggesting counter terrorist cops are searching for a man.
A similar incident was declared at other airports across the country, including Glasgow and Heathrow, as part of a national manhunt for a suspected terrorist who escaped from prison this morning. Former soldier Daniel Abed Khalife, 21, was reported to police after escaping from HMP Wandsworth.
Videos from the scene in Manchester show passengers waiting in long delays for their flights out of the country. In response to concerns online, a post shared by Manchester Airport on X, formerly Twitter, said: "Our security teams work hard to ensure the safety and security of all at Manchester Airport and carry out important checks set by the UK Government. Thank you for your patience and we hope you have a smooth onward journey."
Keep up to date with the ongoing travel chaos with our live blog
Earlier this afternoon, a 'national incident' was declared at Glasgow Airport with security gates closed as 'police search for someone'.
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People waiting for flights at the airport face long queues with police checking everyone’s ID after they have gone through the security hall on Wednesday afternoon.
A tannoy announcement said the delays had been caused by a 'national incident' and that 'additional security checks' were taking place. Glasgow Airport said "temporary security measures" had been put in place by UK Border Force.
Traveller John Robertson, who is heading to London, told the: "When I got to security about 12.45pm it seemed a lot busier than usual. I then noticed the x-ray belts were all at a standstill.
Planes at Manchester Airport (ZENPIX LTD)"That’s when I heard from a staff member that the police were looking for someone and that the security had been closed temporarily. After about an hour it started moving and I got through the x-ray. That’s when I saw the other queue."
A passenger at Manchester Airport told Manchester Evening News this afternoon: "Every single airport across the country and every terminal are doing 100 per cent checks on passengers.
"Security area got absolutely rammed. Every passport, every boarding card was being checked. Within five minutes the queues were absolutely massive."
The prisoner is said to have escaped custody from HMP Wandsworth prison, in south-west London this morning by clinging to the bottom of a delivery van, according to the Sun.
A spokesman for the Met Police said: "An alert was issued by the Counter Terrorism Command earlier today in relation to Khalife through established operational briefing channels to relevant UK police and law enforcements agencies, including those at UK ports and borders."
The Mirror contacted Manchester Airport and Greater Manchester Police for a comment.