Commuters faced travel chaos during Thursday's evening rush hour as Liverpool Street Station, one of London's busiest transport hubs, was suddenly evacuated following a security alert.
The dramatic incident unfolded around 5:30 PM, prompting Transport for London officials to clear the entire station. Witnesses reported seeing large crowds being directed out of the building while police and transport staff secured the area.
Major Service Disruption Across Key Lines
The evacuation caused significant knock-on effects across the London Underground network. Services on the Central line were severely impacted, with TfL announcing major delays between Leytonstone and White City. The newly opened Elizabeth line also experienced substantial disruption, adding to the travel misery for thousands of passengers.
Transport for London confirmed the incident in an official statement: "Liverpool Street station was temporarily evacuated while police responded to a security alert. The station has since reopened, and services are returning to normal, but customers may experience residual delays."
Passenger Frustration Mounts
The timing of the evacuation could hardly have been worse, occurring at the peak of Thursday evening's commute. Social media quickly filled with images and videos showing large crowds gathered outside the station, with many passengers expressing frustration at the unexpected disruption to their journeys.
One commuter tweeted: "Absolute chaos at Liverpool Street. Entire station evacuated with no explanation. Nightmare journey home guaranteed."
Return to Normal Operations
While the station has since reopened and services are gradually returning to normal, transport officials have warned that residual delays may continue to affect services for some time. Passengers have been advised to check the TfL website or app for the latest travel information before beginning their journeys.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of London's transport network and the widespread disruption that can result from security concerns at major interchange stations.
