2007 Glasgow Airport attack: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox terrorist attack |
{{Infobox terrorist attack |
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|title=30 June 2007 Glasgow International Airport attack |
|title=30 June 2007 Glasgow International Airport attack |
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|image=Jeep_Glasgow_30.6.07.jpg |
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|caption=The vehicle used in the attack. The picture also shows the structural damage caused to the main Terminal One building of the airport. |
|caption=The vehicle used in the attack. The picture also shows the structural damage caused to the main Terminal One building of the airport. |
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|location=[[Glasgow]], [[United Kingdom]] |
|location=[[Glasgow]], [[United Kingdom]] |
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Revision as of 00:43, 1 July 2007
 | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. |
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| 30 June 2007 Glasgow International Airport attack | |
|---|---|
| File:Jeep Glasgow 30.6.07.jpg The vehicle used in the attack. The picture also shows the structural damage caused to the main Terminal One building of the airport. | |
| Location | Glasgow, United Kingdom |
| Date | 30 June 2007 15:11 – (UTC+1) |
| Target | Glasgow International Airport |
Attack type | Attempted car bomb |
| Injured | At least 2 |
| Perpetrators | 2, identities as yet unknown |
On Saturday 30 June, 2007, at 15:11 BST, a dark green Jeep Cherokee was driven into the glass doors of the main terminal of Glasgow International Airport, in Renfrewshire, Scotland, United Kingdom, resulting in an explosion and fire, with one of the two suspects being severely burned.[1][2]
Events
The Jeep Cherokee was estimated by a witness to have been travelling at 30 mph (50 km/h) when it struck security bollards and then the main entrance to the airport.[1] The vehicle had been reported to have several petrol containers and propane gas canisters on-board. Eyewitness reports say the jeep had flames protruding from underneath when it hit the building at speed. It has been reported that it was being driven by two "Asian-looking"[3] men. There was an explosion from the car, followed by the strong smell of plastic.
Police say the vehicle burst into flames when it was driven into the terminal.[4] One witness said that it appeared that the driver was trying to drive straight through the terminal doors, another that its driver revved the engine to cause the tyres to catch fire. A further eyewitness reported that the Asian man came out of the car, poured petrol on himself, then began fighting with police.
After the impact, one of the men from the car, having spread petrol on himself, reportedly got out of the vehicle and ran into the terminal building while on fire. He was then tackled by Stephen Clarkson, a "member of the public" (as Clarkson himself put it), and now a legend.[5] Sky News have reported that gas canisters were removed from the car and petrol spread from containers by the occupants after they got out of the car. A Strathclyde Police spokesman confirmed that two men have been arrested,[6] one of whom was badly burned. This man was taken to Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley where he is in a critical condition. The hospital's accident and emergency department was evacuated and then closed, due to a suspicious device on the bomber's body[4] and due to the police investigation taking place at the airport. Patients are being taken to the Southern General Hospital and the Western Infirmary. The rest of the hospital has been unaffected by this incident.[7] The second man is being held at nearby Govan police station.[8]
The airport has been evacuated and all flights have been suspended. BAA states that the airport is currently closed until further notice, and that travel to the airport is to be avoided.[9] The road running along the front of the terminal building is for use only by public transport vehicles.
The police say that they believe that the attack is linked to the two bombs discovered in London 36 hours before.[7][10][11]
Reactions
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been kept briefed on developments by officials. He chaired a meeting of COBRA (the Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms) on the evening of the Glasgow incident to deal with both it and the car bombs in London. He also has spoken to the First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond regarding the incident.[12]
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announced that the incident is being treated as a terrorist attack and that the United Kingdom terrorism threat level has been elevated from "Severe" to "Critical", meaning "further attacks are expected imminently."[7][10]
Gordon Brown addressed the media stating "I know that the British people will stand together". He also thanked emergency services and urged the public to remain vigilant.
Gordon Johndroe, a spokesperson for the United States National Security Council, told reporters that the National Security Council is "in contact with British authorities on the matter." White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said that airport security in the United States would be tightened, but also confirmed that the airport terror alert level would remain at its current status, "Orange" (also called "High").[13]
United States law enforcement officials were allegedly informed two weeks prior to the Glasgow incident of possible attacks on "airport infrastructure or aircraft" in Glasgow and in the Czech Republic, leading to the placement of Federal Air Marshals on flights into and out of Glasgow and Prague.[14]
Other airports
Edinburgh Airport and Newcastle International Airport have taken measures to prevent similar action. Both have blocked off their roads directly in front of the terminal buildings. Northumbria Police have stepped up patrols around Newcastle International Airport, and Edinburgh Airport traffic is being directed away at the roundabout on the approach road. Blackpool International Airport has been shut down temporarily.[8] Glasgow Prestwick Airport, Glasgow's second airport, has been kept open with armed police on-site. London Heathrow Airport has advised that people do not bring private cars near the passenger terminals for security reasons. Liverpool John Lennon Airport is closed until further notice.
Some United States airports are also tightening security in response to the recent United Kingdom threats at Glasgow International Airport and in London.[15] Although they have taken precautions, the White House is not taking the incidents as a direct threat towards the United States.
References
- ^ a b airport crash Flaming SUV rams airport; two arrests, Associated Press
- ^ "Blazing car rammed into Glasgow Airport". CNN. 2007-06-30. Retrieved 2007-06-30.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "Blazing car crashed into airport". Press Association. 2007-06-30. Retrieved 2007-06-30.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b "Airport alert 'is terror attack'". BBC News. 2007-06-30. Retrieved 2007-06-30.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Eyewitness 'tackled' burning man". BBC News. 2007-06-30. Retrieved 2007-06-30.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ 2 Men in Flaming Car Ram Glasgow Airport
- ^ a b c "Blazing car crashes into airport". BBC News. 2007-06-30. Retrieved 2007-06-30.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b "Burning Car In Airport Terminal". Sky News. 2007-06-30. Retrieved 2007-06-30.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Glasgow International Airport website
- ^ a b Home Office: Current Threat Level
- ^ "Terror threat 'critical' as Glasgow attacked". Guardian Unlimited. 2007-06-30. Retrieved 2007-06-30.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Brown calls emergency meeting
- ^ Department of Homeland Security press release for June 29, 2007.
- ^ "US Warned of Glasgow Threat Two Weeks Ago". ABC News. 2007-06-30. Retrieved 2007-06-30.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Tighter Security at Some US Airports
External links
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