By Damilola Adeleke

London’s Heathrow Airport has suspended all operations today following a major power outage caused by a fire at a nearby electrical substation.

According to reports, the disruption has forced flights to turn back midair or divert to alternative airports, including locations in Egypt. The incident has left thousands of passengers stranded at one of the world’s busiest travel hubs.

In an official statement on X (formerly Twitter), Heathrow Airport confirmed:

“Due to a fire at an electrical substation supplying the airport, Heathrow is experiencing a significant power outage. To ensure the safety of passengers and staff, Heathrow will remain closed until 23:59 on March 21.”

Airport authorities have warned of “significant disruption” in the coming days and have urged travelers to avoid Heathrow until further notice. Officials told CNN that there is no confirmed timeline for full power restoration.