A chaotic robbery at Heathrow Airport in London has left dozens of passengers shaken after a group of men used pepper spray during a theft inside a Terminal 3 parking garage. The attack, which occurred early Sunday morning, injured 21 people — including a young child — triggered a massive police response, and led to a man’s arrest.
🚨 What Happened at Terminal 3
Around 8:11 a.m., a group of four men entered a lift in the multistory car park of Terminal 3 and assaulted a woman, stealing her suitcase. During the robbery, the suspects sprayed what is believed to be pepper spray inside the lift.
The irritant rapidly spread, affecting the lift and the surrounding area. Bystanders immediately began coughing and experiencing burning sensations in their eyes and throats. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic — one passenger likened it to a terror attack, as armed officers swept through the garage moments later.
Victims, Arrest and Police Response
A total of 21 people suffered effects from the spray; five were taken by ambulance to hospital, while the remaining victims — including a three-year-old girl — were treated on-site. Fortunately, none of the injuries have been deemed life-threatening or long-lasting.
Authorities quickly arrested a 31-year-old man at the scene on suspicion of assault. A manhunt has been launched to track down the other suspects, and detectives are reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses. Officials say the attackers and the victim likely knew each other, and the incident is not being treated as terrorism.
Fallout — Travel Disruptions and Warnings for Travelers
The attack caused major disruption at one of Europe’s busiest airports. For hours, transport links were overwhelmed — many passengers faced long waits for taxis and shuttle buses as authorities secured the area and cleared the garage.
Emergency services praised their rapid response, and travelers have been urged to remain vigilant — especially in crowded, enclosed spaces like lifts and parking garages where sudden attacks can escalate quickly.
