Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5 descended into chaos as thousands of pieces of luggage were abandoned, leaving passengers stranded without their belongings due to severe staff shortages. Passengers were told to go home as it was unlikely their luggage would be retrieved anytime soon.

Passengers took to social media to express their frustration and disbelief, with reports of no staff available to assist and no information provided for up to four hours. British Airways, the primary airline operating out of Terminal 5, faced severe backlash as scenes of elderly and disabled passengers sleeping on the floor emerged.

One Twitter user, @British_Airways, highlighted the dire situation: “Thousands of luggage abandon at terminal 5. No staff for help…. People told to go home as luggage will not come out due to staff issues. No water to drink and no food. Disabled people sleeping on the floor along with the elderly and disabled. Utter disgrace…”

The situation was exacerbated by a lack of basic amenities. Passengers reported no access to water or food, compounding the already dire circumstances. Families with young children, elderly passengers, and those with disabilities were left particularly vulnerable, as they had no choice but to wait on the terminal floor.

A passenger, Sarah Mitchell, described the scene: “It’s a complete mess. There are people everywhere, and no one knows what’s going on. My elderly mother is with me, and there’s no help available. We’ve been here for hours with no information, no food, and no water.”

The absence of communication from British Airways and Heathrow Airport further fueled the frustration. Many passengers felt abandoned and left in the dark about when or if they would be reunited with their luggage.

In response to the growing outcry, a spokesperson for British Airways issued a statement: “We apologize for the inconvenience caused to our passengers at Terminal 5. We are experiencing severe staff shortages which have impacted our ability to manage luggage and provide assistance. We are working hard to resolve the issue and reunite passengers with their belongings as soon as possible.

However, the apology did little to soothe the anger of those affected. Many are demanding immediate action and accountability from both the airline and the airport.

Authorities at Heathrow have pledged to address the situation and ensure that passengers receive the support and information they need. However, as the backlog of abandoned luggage continues to grow, it remains unclear how quickly the issue can be resolved.