Britain’s Heathrow Airport shut down Friday after a major fire at a nearby electrical substation cut power to the facility, disrupting flight schedules worldwide.
Approximately 70 firefighters battled the blaze in west London, which also disabled the airport’s backup power system. Large orange flames and black smoke were visible before firefighters contained the fire. By morning, roads around Britain’s largest airport were mostly empty except for some departing passengers with luggage.
Fire investigators will examine the cause, though Energy Minister Ed Miliband indicated it didn’t appear to be foul play. Heathrow announced the airport would remain closed until midnight due to the significant power outage, affecting 1,351 scheduled flights and up to 291,000 passengers.
“Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport and should contact their airline for further information,” the airport stated. “We apologize for the inconvenience.”
The fire was reported just after 11 p.m. Thursday, forced planes to divert to airports across Britain and Europe, while many long-haul flights returned to their departure points. Miliband described the fire as “catastrophic,” noting it had prevented the backup system from functioning while engineers worked to deploy a third backup solution.
Industry experts warned that passengers diverted to European airports might be confined to transit lounges if lacking proper visa documentation. The disruption will have far-reaching effects on global flight schedules as aircraft are now out of position.
“Heathrow is one of the major hubs of the world,” said Ian Petchenik from flight tracking website FlightRadar24. “This is going to disrupt airlines’ operations around the world.”
British Airways, Heathrow’s largest carrier, had 341 flights scheduled to arrive Friday. The chaos negatively impacted shares in airlines including British Airways parent IAG.
FlightRadar24 reported at least 120 inbound flights diverted early Friday morning. International flights from locations including Perth, New York, and San Francisco were rerouted to alternative destinations, while some U.S. flights turned around mid-journey.
Travel experts explained that the disruption extends beyond Heathrow itself. Airlines’ precisely coordinated networks rely on aircraft and crews being in specific locations at scheduled times, requiring dozens of carriers to reconfigure their operations quickly.
Some passengers shared their experiences on social media, including Adrian Spender who posted on X that his Airbus A380 bound for Heathrow was “currently over Austria” with no confirmed destination.
Heathrow has experienced previous outages in recent years, including an automated gate failure and air traffic system disruption in 2023. A Heathrow spokesperson indicated they expected significant disruption over the coming days with no clear timeline for power restoration.
The incident also affected residents, with the fire brigade reporting they led 29 people to safety from neighboring properties and evacuated approximately 150 people from within a 200-meter precautionary cordon.
About the author
Trump Orders DOGE to Hunt for Voter Fraud, Echoing Failed 2017 Commission
President Donald Trump's recent election executive order has positioned his administration for extended battles over citizenship proof, executive branch authority, and federal election law. Within this order lies a less-noticed directive: assigning Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to investigate voter fraud. The order instructs the Department of Homeland Security to collaborate with DOGE in reviewing states' "publicly available voter registration list and available records concerning voter list maintenance activities," comparing them against federal and state records to identify noncitizen voter fraud—an illegal but rare occurrence. This ambitious undertaking mirrors Trump's previous efforts. During his first term, a voting integrity commission led by then-Vice President Mike Pence and then-Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach attempted to create a national voter file in 2017. That initiative failed when 44 states and the District of Columbia refused to share at least […]
Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Surpasses 1,000 as Rescue Efforts Continue
The death toll from a powerful earthquake in Myanmar has risen sharply to over 1,000 as rescuers dig through rubble in search of survivors. In this reclusive nation ruled by a military government that tightly controls information, details on the full scale of destruction remain limited. Verified footage shows monks in vermilion robes crouching beside a collapsed clock tower, witnessing another building crumble in the distance. Another clip captures the golden peak of a Buddhist monastery in Pindaya shattering into pieces. Images reveal hospitals overwhelmed with injured victims and widespread structural damage across the country. As rescue operations continue, BBC's Burmese service reported screams coming from within the debris of a collapsed high-rise in Mandalay, where approximately 50 people have already been pulled from the rubble. Myanmar's military government has declared a state of emergency in multiple regions, including Mandalay […]
Four Dead, 21 Injured in Russian Drone Strike on Dnipro
Four people were killed and 21 injured after Russia launched a mass drone attack on the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro, according to regional head Serhiy Lysak. Lysak reported that a restaurant complex and several residential buildings caught fire following the Friday night attack. He stated that "the enemy sent more than 20 drones" to the city, though "most of them were shot down." Images later emerged showing firefighters battling large blazes that had engulfed struck buildings, with shattered glass and debris scattered across city streets. Air raid sirens sounded overnight in several Ukrainian regions, including the capital Kyiv. In President Zelensky's hometown of Kryvyi Rih, military administration head Oleksandr Vilkul confirmed a Saturday morning ballistic missile attack had wounded five people and damaged high-rise buildings, private homes, a school, and a car wash. The Russian defense ministry claimed three […]
Tragedy Strikes: Tourist Submarine Disaster Claims 6 Lives in Red Sea
A tourist submarine sank off the coast of Hurghada, Egypt, resulting in six fatalities and multiple injuries, according to official reports from local authorities. The incident occurred on Thursday when the submarine "Sindbad" was carrying 45 foreign tourists and five Egyptian crew members. Red Sea governor Maj. Gen. Amr Hanafi confirmed that all six deceased individuals were Russian nationals, while 29 of the 39 rescued tourists sustained injuries and required hospitalization. The submarine, which typically operates 40-minute underwater tours at depths of 20-25 meters, was known for providing panoramic views of marine life through its bottom windows. Passengers were diverse in nationality, including Russians, Indians, Norwegians, and Swedes. Rescue teams were immediately dispatched following the sinking, and the governor's office released video footage showing survivors, including children, receiving medical attention. The state-owned Akhbar Al-Youm newspaper reported that investigations are ongoing […]
Federal Judge Declares Texas Prison Heat Conditions Unconstitutional, No Immediate AC Mandate
A federal judge has ruled that extreme heat in Texas prisons is unconstitutionally harsh, yet stopped short of mandating immediate air conditioning installation, which could potentially cost billions of dollars. U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman acknowledged the "plainly unconstitutional treatment" of incarcerated individuals, recognizing the dangerous heat conditions that routinely exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. However, he declined to order immediate cooling system installations, citing logistical and financial challenges. The lawsuit, initially filed by Bernie Tiede—a former mortician whose murder case inspired the movie "Bernie"—argues that the extreme heat constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. Several prisoners' rights groups subsequently joined the legal action, expanding its scope. Currently, Texas houses over 130,000 prisoners, with only about one-third of approximately 100 prison units fully air-conditioned. The remaining facilities have partial or no electrical cooling systems. Lead attorney Jeff Edwards described the ruling as […]
Rusagro Shares Plummet After Founder’s Detention, Losing Nearly One-Third of Market Value
Russian agricultural giant Rusagro experienced a dramatic stock market downturn following the detention of its billionaire founder, Vadim Moshkovich, with shares plummeting more than 32% on the Moscow stock exchange. The company's stock price dramatically dropped from 230.50 roubles on Wednesday to an intra-day low of 156.32 roubles on Thursday, reflecting significant investor uncertainty in the wake of the founder's legal troubles. News of Moshkovich's police charges emerged on Wednesday, immediately triggering a substantial market reaction. As a leading producer of sugar, meat, oil, and fat products in Russia, Rusagro's rapid value decline highlights the potential economic impact of high-profile legal actions against corporate leadership.
Related
US Bombs Yemen As Israel Blocks Missile Fired At Tel Aviv
The Israeli military reports intercepting a missile launched from Yemen on Sunday, coinciding with intensified United States military operations targeting Houthi-controlled sites in the country. Air raid sirens sounded across multiple Israeli areas after the missile launch, which Israeli forces claim was intercepted before crossing into their territory. The Iran-supported Houthi rebels have consistently fired missiles toward Israel since the Gaza war began on October 7, 2023. The group has also targeted shipping vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, stating these actions show solidarity with Palestinians. The Houthis had temporarily suspended their campaign during the Gaza ceasefire, which ended when Israel resumed bombardment on March 18. On Thursday, Israel announced it had intercepted two missiles from Yemen. The Houthi forces, who have not commented on Sunday's alleged attack, previously claimed launching two missiles, including a hypersonic projectile, […]
Man Investigated For Deadly Wildfire That Killed 30 While Performing Ancestor Ritual
A 56-year-old unnamed man is under investigation in South Korea for allegedly starting a devastating wildfire that claimed 30 lives. The suspect was reportedly performing an ancestral ceremony at a family grave on a hillside in Uiseong county, North Gyeongsang province, when the fire began. He has been booked but not yet arrested, and authorities plan to question him after completing their investigation of the site. The man has denied responsibility for the blaze. Officials announced Sunday that the main fires had finally been brought under complete control, ten days after they initially ignited and caused extensive damage to buildings, including historic temples. According to investigators who spoke with the suspect's daughter, the fire allegedly started when her father attempted to burn tree branches hanging over the graves using a cigarette lighter. The Korea Forest Service reports that the fires […]
Trump Says He “Couldn’t Care Less” If Car Prices Soar After New Foreign Auto Tariffs
Donald Trump has declared he "couldn't care less" if automobile prices increase after implementing 25% tariffs on foreign-made vehicles. While analysts warn these import charges could lead to temporary shutdowns of major US car production, price increases, and strained international relationships, Trump remains unmoved. In an NBC News interview Saturday, the US president stated he actually hopes foreign carmakers raise prices because then "people are gonna buy American-made cars. We have plenty." On Wednesday, Trump announced new 25% import taxes on cars and parts entering the US from overseas, effective April 2. Charges on imported vehicles are expected April 3, with taxes on parts beginning in May or later. When questioned about his message to automobile executives, Trump responded: "The message is congratulations, if you make your car in the United States, you're going to make a lot of money." […]
US Firm Declares War On Europe As Tariff Showdown Looms
Walk through a US grocery store and you'll find European imports like St Dalfour strawberry spread and Bonne Maman preserves—part of Europe's $200 million annual jam exports to America. Yet American-made jellies remain virtually nonexistent in Europe, with US exports to the bloc totaling less than $300,000 yearly. JM Smucker, a major US producer, blames this imbalance on the EU's 24%-plus import tax on American fruit spreads. In a recent letter to the White House, the company urged the Trump administration to address this disparity as it prepares "reciprocal" tariffs against major trading partners. "The miniscule value of US exports to the European Union is entirely attributable to the high EU tariff," Smucker argued, noting that US jam tariffs max out at just 4.5%. "Reciprocal US tariffs on EU jams and jellies would serve to level the playing field." While […]
Trump Team Slams Denmark Over Greenland As Arctic Power Struggle Heats Up
Denmark's foreign minister has rebuked the Trump administration for its confrontational approach regarding Greenland, emphasizing that Denmark is already increasing Arctic security investments while remaining open to further US cooperation. In a video posted to social media Saturday, Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen addressed recent criticisms, speaking in English: "Many accusations and many allegations have been made. And of course, we are open to criticism. But let me be completely honest: we do not appreciate the tone in which it is being delivered. This is not how you speak to your close allies. And I still consider Denmark and the United States to be close allies." The response followed Vice President JD Vance's brief visit to the strategic island Friday, where he accused Denmark of neglecting Greenland's protection and suggested the US would better safeguard the semi-autonomous Danish territory that […]
Army Captures Key Market As Battle For Sudan Capital Intensifies
Sudan's army has claimed control over Souq Libya, a major market in Omdurman, expanding its recent gains against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the war-torn country. This Saturday announcement follows the army's reported capture of most parts of the capital days earlier, potentially marking a decisive shift in the two-year conflict that has created the world's largest humanitarian crisis. Military officials stated that their forces had seized weapons and equipment that had been abandoned by retreating RSF fighters at Souq Libya, one of Sudan's largest commercial centers. The army already controlled much of Omdurman, which houses two significant military bases, and appears determined to secure the entire capital region comprising Khartoum, Omdurman, and Bahri - cities divided by branches of the Nile River. The RSF has not responded to reports of the army's Omdurman advance, where paramilitary forces still […]
Be the first to leave a comment