Travellers have been forced to flee Manchester Piccadilly station following an emergency evacuation.
Numerous eyewitnesses have confirmed they were ordered to leave the busy railway hub this morning (December 17). Reports suggest the drama centres around a suspect piece of luggage that has sparked security concerns. Pictures from the scene reveal police officers stationed at Piccadilly’s main entrance.
A specialist sniffer dog has been deployed alongside the emergency response team, reports the Manchester Evening News. @StubbornDonkey posted on X: “Well that was good timing arrived at Manchester Piccadilly to a evacuation… Bags left in the station.”
@TobyHadoke shared: “Piccadilly Station currently being evacuated: suspicious luggage I think. Police dogs etc. Hopefully nothing but if you’re travelling today be aware. Staff moving everyone away from the building (very efficiently). My London trip today looks imperilled but hey-ho, safety first.”
@helen_spirit1 warned: “If anyone is heading to Piccadilly Manchester, avoid. The entire station has been evacuated. It’s chaos.”
British Transport Police says a cordon was put in place as a precaution. The incident has since been stood down.
A force spokesperson said: “Officers received reports at around 10am today (December 17) of a suspicious bag at Manchester Piccadilly railway station. Cordons were put in place as a precaution. The bag was later found to be non-suspicious and the incident was stood down.”
A National Rail spokesperson said: “An earlier security alert at Manchester Piccadilly station means all lines are disrupted. As a result, trains may be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 11.15am.”
Piccadilly station has now reopened.
It comes after a ‘major incident’ was declared at a Marks and Spencer branch in Charlton as 30 people have needed treatment with 11 taken to hospital.
Emergency services were called to the store on Gallions Road on December 16 as they dealt with a suspected carbon monoxide leak.
A Met Police spokesperson said the London Ambulance Service (LAS) is leading on the incident
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson has told MyLondon: “Firefighters are currently at the scene of a suspected carbon monoxide incident at a shop on Gallions Road in Charlton.
“Crews are working alongside multi-agency partners to resolve the incident safely. The Brigade was called at 8.35am and two fire engines and two fire rescue units are at the scene.”