The US Embassy in London.Photo: point.
London, UK – An explosion outside the US Embassy in London forced police to carry out a controlled explosion of a suspicious package, drawing attention to the extensive security measures in the British capital. The incident occurred on Friday, when local police received a report of a suspicious object near the diplomatic mission on the south bank of the Thames, in the Nine Elms area , Time Ukraine Israel portal reports, citing Israelinfo.
Controlled explosion and traffic restriction
A London police spokesperson said that after extensive checks, it was decided to carry out a controlled explosion to neutralise the threat. The “loud explosion” reported in the media was caused by this operation. For the safety of citizens and as part of the investigation, law enforcement temporarily closed Pontoon Road near the US Embassy. Authorities urged citizens to keep their distance while hazardous materials experts take the necessary measures.
The US Embassy in London confirmed the incident via social media, stating: “Local authorities are investigating a suspicious object left outside the embassy. Police have restricted access to Pontoon Road as a precautionary measure.” The incident is yet another reminder of the need to maintain high security standards in British cities, especially in areas of high diplomatic and political importance.
Parallel evacuation at Gatwick Airport
An equally worrying situation arose at Gatwick Airport, which is located south of London and is one of the largest passenger hubs in the UK. A “suspected prohibited item” was found in the luggage of one of the passengers, which prompted the evacuation of part of the South Terminal. A bomb disposal team was sent to the scene to ensure safety and investigate the incident. All flights and operations were temporarily suspended to avoid any possible threats to passengers and staff.
Residual safety measures and restoration of normal operations
After taking all necessary measures, the police and security experts found that none of the threats had any serious consequences. Gatwick Airport promptly resumed operations, and law enforcement officials later reported that the suspicious object had been successfully defused. However, the events once again highlighted the importance of prompt and coordinated action in the face of the constant threat of terrorist attacks and other dangerous situations.
The UK authorities continue to take proactive measures to prevent terrorist threats by tightening controls in public places and at strategically important sites such as diplomatic missions and international transport hubs.
