Channel Tunnel terminal shut by explosives consultants after suspicious automobile stopped
T
he Channel Tunnel terminal in Folkestone has been shut after police stopped a “suspicious vehicle” and detained a person.
Explosives consultants from the Army have been referred to as to the scene on Friday morning, and police mentioned a cordon was in place “for the safety of the public”.
The “suspicious” automobile was stopped at 10.30am on Friday, on the Channel Tunnel entrance in Cheriton, and the terminal was closed.
LeShuttle – the service that transports automobiles throught the tunnel – mentioned journey could be “severely disrupted” all through Friday afternoon as a result of “rare” incident.
“A man has been detained in connection with the incident and enquiries are ongoing,” mentioned a Kent Police spokesperson.
Police confirmed the incident was not being linked to the seek for lacking terror suspect Daniel Abed Khalife, who escaped HMP Wandsworth jail on Wednesday.
LeShuttle posted on X, previously often called Twitter, on Friday afternoon: “Due to a police incident access to our site is unavailable. Incidents of this nature are extremely rare and we’re grateful for your patience.
“As a consequence of this incident, travel will be severely disrupted throughout the afternoon please prepare to modify your travel plans.”
Meanwhile enhanced safety checks are being carried out at UK ports and airports as police continue to hunt 21-year-old former solider Daniel Khalife.
The M20 coastbound carriageway approaching the Port of Dover, between Junctions 8 and 9, remained closed on Friday as a consequence of delays brought on by the improved checks.
The closure permits freight sure for the continent to queue on the empty part of motorway with a purpose to hold any disruption to Kent’s wider street community to a minimal.