Armed police swoop on Heathrow Airport after more than 20 hurt

Alsharq Tribune- Sarah Benkraouda 

Armed police have descended on Heathrow Airport after 21 people were injured in a “pepper spray attack” on Sunday morning.

Emergency services raced to the airport’s Terminal 3 multi-storey car park at around 8:11am after reports multiple people had been sprayed with the substance after what police described as an “escalated argument”.

The attackers then fled the scene, according to officers, who have launched a manhunt to trace the runaway suspects.

London Ambulance Service said it cared for 21 people at the scene before transporting five to hospital. None of the patients are believed to have life-threatening or life-changing injuries.

One man has been arrested on suspicion of assault and remains in police custody for questioning. The Metropolitan Police have now launched a manhunt for the other suspects, and have launched an appeal for witnesses.

Commander Peter Stevens said: “At this stage, we believe the incident involved a group of people known to each other, with an argument escalating and resulting in a number of people being injured.

“There will be an increased police presence at Heathrow Airport throughout the morning. We are not treating this incident as terrorism.”