An investigation is under way after a deportee apparently broke free from security guards and ran across a Heathrow runway, prompting a brief shutdown of aircraft movements. The man, who was being deported to India on Sunday, managed to slip out of a waist restraint while being escorted to a plane at Terminal 2.
He was filmed sprinting across the tarmac near active takeoff paths, causing confusion and alarm among aviation staff and onlookers. Footage of the incident, captured by a plane spotter and posted to the Big Jet TV YouTube channel, shows the man running as aircraft were preparing to taxi.
A Mitie spokesperson told the Guardian the detainee was quickly apprehended and later handed over to the authorities after being reboarded on the same flight.
Metropolitan Police said they helped detain the individual and that airport operations resumed shortly afterwards.
Aviation expert John Van Hoogstraten warned that any unauthorised person airside poses a major safety risk, especially near active runways and jet engines.
He said: “The minute an unaccounted person is airside there’s no protection about what happens next in operations.”
Heathrow Airport said it worked with partners to resolve the incident and that flights were continuing as scheduled.
The Home Office confirmed that contractor Mitie, which is responsible for removals, has launched a formal investigation.
Express.co.uk has contacted Mitie and Heathrow Airport for comment.
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