Wightlink has suspended its Fishbourne-Portsmouth car ferry service amid an ongoing security incident at its Portsmouth Gunwharf terminal, which has been evacuated this lunchtime (Wednesday).
Police are on scene at Gunwharf Road as emergency services respond to the alarming situation.
All customers and staff have been evacuated from the terminal, with the port closed to all marine traffic.
Due to the evacuation, the contact centre is currently unmanned, so customers are unable to make contact with the cross-Solent operator.
A spokesperson for Wightlink has said:
“We will update customers as soon as we have more information. Please do not try to make your way to our Gunwharf terminal.”
Ferries are being held until further notice.
UPDATE @ 13:17 – Wightlink has confirmed that its Gunwharf terminal has been declared safe, and has now reopened.
Customers can expect delays throughout this afternoon as Wightlink works to return to a normal timetable.
A spokesperson for Wightlink has said:
“The safety of our customers and colleagues is always our top priority, and we thank the police and other emergency services for their assistance.
“Thank you for your support in keeping Island residents informed”.
UPDATE @ 14:15 – Police have confirmed that an unattended bag sparked the emergency evacuation.
The bag in question has been examined, deemed safe and removed by officers.
A spokesperson for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has said:
“We thank the public for their patience and understanding while we dealt with this incident”
I bet its the Mormons!
It’s spelled MORONS….
Strange comment…
Just in case I’m missing something, please elucidate your conceived connection between an unattended bag and the Mormons!
Just a bit random