London Gatwick Airport terminal evacuated over ‘suspicious article’

One of two terminals at London’s Gatwick Airport has been evacuated Saturday after travelers reported a “suspicious article,” U.K. police said.

Sussex police said one person was arrested Saturday and an army bomb disposal team was on the scene, CNN reported. 

A police spokeswoman said officers were called to the terminal about 9:30 a.m. (4:30 a.m. EST) after passengers saw a man discarding a “suspicious” item.

Armed police evacuated hundreds of people from the terminal and moved them about 100 yards away from a the building, an eyewitness told CNN. 

It was not clear whether or not the item was an explosive, but police took extra precautions in the wake of a slew of deadly terrorists attacks in Paris on Friday night. 

“At this time, we are investigating the circumstances of the incident and it is too early to say what the item may be,” Detective Superintendent Nick May said in a written statement. “However, given the events in Paris on Friday evening, there is heightened awareness around any such incident and it is best that we treat the matter in all seriousness.”

Gatwick Airport, the second-busiest of London’s international airports, is located about 30 miles south of the British capital city. 

At least 127 people were killed in a series of shootings and bombings at six locations in and around Paris. 

Paris Prosecutor spokeswoman Agnès Thibault-Lecuivre said eight extremists are dead after the attacks. Seven of them were killed in suicide bombings.