A major fire near Heathrow caused a power outage, forcing the shutdown of the airport. BA078 from Accra was diverted to Lyon, with over 145,000 passengers affected globally.
London’s Heathrow Airport has been forced to shut down due to a massive power outage caused by a nearby fire, leading to widespread travel disruptions across the globe.
The British Airways flight BA078 from Accra to London was among the affected flights, being diverted to Lyon, France as a result of the chaos.
The fire broke out at a power substation close to the airport, plunging Heathrow into darkness and severely impacting flight operations. Emergency crews, including the London Fire Brigade, are tackling the blaze, which they describe as a “prolonged incident” with ongoing disruption for local residents.
The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.
With Heathrow being one of the world’s busiest travel hubs, the shutdown is expected to have a severe ripple effect on international flights. Reports indicate that over 1,300 flights have been affected, with an estimated 145,000 passengers facing delays and cancellations.
Heathrow Airport has warned travelers not to come to the airport, advising passengers to contact their airlines for updates as operations remain suspended.
“Passengers should not travel to the airport under any circumstances until the airport reopens,” Heathrow officials stated.
BA078 Accra Flight Diverted to Lyon
British Airways flight BA078 from Accra to London was among the flights forced to divert, landing in Lyon, France instead of Heathrow.
Passengers on board are currently awaiting further instructions from British Airways regarding onward travel arrangements.
Meanwhile, authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire, but major disruptions are expected to continue for days.
Firefighters are working to contain the blaze, but Heathrow has not provided a timeline for when normal operations will resume.
With thousands of travelers stranded worldwide, airlines are working to reroute flights and accommodate affected passengers.
Travelers are advised to stay updated through Heathrow’s official website and airline customer service channels for further developments.
Source: 3news.com