EAST SUSSEX: A man in East Sussex has been inside under the Mental Health Act after the discovery of explosive chemicals led to the evacuation of seafront properties in St Leonards.
According to the sources, the incident, which came to light on Thursday, has left over 70 residents unable to return to their homes near the Marina.
Specialists acted swiftly, neutralizing the explosive chemicals so they could be safely disposed of via a controlled burn by the sea wall.
Additionally, 500 canisters containing unidentified substances were discovered, although they are not believed to be explosive.
Authorities have ruled out any link to terrorism, despite speculation on social media tying the discovery to the upcoming Hastings Half Marathon. Police have also dismissed any connections to large-scale drug production.
In East Sussex, the 28-year-old man, arrested for mental health concerns on suspicion of producing illegal substances and creating explosive chemicals or materials for unlawful purposes, has since been “sectioned,” meaning he will remain hospitalized until deemed fit for release.
Chief Inspector James Scott stated that evidence suggests the man did not intend to harm himself or others, but his mental health doesn’t seem up to the mark.
However, a timeline for lifting the cordon and allowing residents to return remains uncertain in East Sussex. A decision regarding the half marathon is expected later in the day.
In St Leonards, a seaside town in East Sussex, event organizers assured the public that safety remains their top priority. Bomb disposal teams and robots continue to monitor and investigate the area, ensuring no further hazardous materials are present.
Read more: Heathrow flights resume after closure causes global flight turmoil
Earlier, operations at Britain’s Heathrow Airport resumed late on Friday following a major disruption caused by a fire that knocked out the power supply and forced the closure of Europe’s busiest airport earlier in the day.
The shutdown left tens of thousands of passengers stranded and triggered widespread global travel chaos. Efforts by Heathrow’s teams ensured the reopening of the world’s fifth-busiest airport after the fire engulfed a nearby substation on Thursday night.
The incident led to flights being diverted to other airports across Britain and Europe, while several long-haul flights returned to their departure points. Although the airport had initially planned to handle 1,351 flights and up to 291,000 passengers on Friday, only a limited number of flights operated, focusing on relocating aircraft and bringing planes back to London.
