Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Healthrow: Timetable of attacks

Andrew Gliniecki
Sunday 13 March 1994 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

YESTERDAY's attack on Heathrow was the third in five days.

ATTACK NUMBER ONE

Eight messages with IRA code- word warning of 'bombs all over Heathrow' telephoned to media between 5.07pm and 5.16pm on Wednesday.

Terminals and approach roads are checked at 5.14pm. Airport not closed.

At 5.56pm four mortars fired from car at Excelsior Hotel. Three rockets land on either side of the northern runway and one on a disused taxi-way 100 yards further south. None explodes.

ATTACK NUMBER TWO

First of a series of imprecise warnings of another attack at Heathrow issued to news organisations at 5.25pm on Thursday. The airport stays open.

An aircraft carrying the Queen back from a tour of the Caribbean lands at 9.20pm. Other aircraft land until 11.25pm on the southern runway.

At seven minutes past midnight the police receive a report of loud noises heard near Terminal 4.

Three minutes later the southern runway and perimeter road are closed. Terminal 4 sealed off.

Police find three rockets in the south-east area of the airport, close to Terminal 4, and a fourth is found near by in an aircraft parking area.

Police find trestle-type launcher near the Great South West Roadon the southern side of the airport.

ATTACK NUMBER THREE

Coded warnings are telephoned to news organisations between 6.19am and 6.41am on Sunday. The southern runway is closed.

Clearance given to open southern runway at about 8am, but sounds of mortars launching are heard. Two shells found near Terminal 4.

One of four mortars landed on roof of Terminal 4, none ignited, police later reveal.

Heavily camouflaged launcher found in scrubland off Bedfont Road, on airport's south-west perimeter.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in