Hundreds evacuated from Baker Street station in 'TERRIFYING' security alert
A MAJOR Tube station in London was evacuated this afternoon due to a "security alert" on the 11th anniversary of the 7/7 bombings.
Panicked commuters evacuating from Baker Street station
Hundreds of commuters and tourists in the station were rushed from Baker Street station at around 3.30pm, while trains were ordered to pass through the station without stopping.
Concerned mother-of-two Linda Robertson told Express.co.uk: "Our train stopped and the announcement came over the tannoy that we wouldn't stop at Baker Street because of a suspect package.
"There were lots of tuts and rolling of eyes but also gasps of horror and fear.
"There's too much of this going on these days.
Just been evacuated from Baker Street station due to an emergency ?????? pic.twitter.com/H78EsXnNcE
— Howl (@HywelKennedy) July 7, 2016
So being at Baker Street whilst the whole place gets suddenly evacuated for security reasons was terrifying. Today of all days
"After a couple of minutes we suddenly picked up speed and whizzed through Baker Street.
"Nobody knows what to do. I need to get home to my children but I'm not sure how."
A panicked passenger posted on Twitter: "So being at Baker Street whilst the whole place gets suddenly evacuated for security reasons was terrifying. Today of all days."
Police at the now-empty Baker Street station
Another said something was "going off" at the station, while a third commuter Tweeted: "Just been evacuated from Baker Street for a security threat, hope everything is ok.."
According to another witness, the station was now "scary and empty."
Trains passed through the station after the evacuation without stopping, following chaotic scenes when Baker Street was first evacuated.
Passengers on a train arriving into the station as the evacuation began were quickly herded back onto the train, while station staff shouted at the driver to leave the station as soon as possible.
Held up outside #bakerstreet for security alert. Seems something going off...
— Tom Bulgin (@tombulgin) July 7, 2016
British Transport Police are at the station following the emergency evacuation
British Transport Police (BTP) officers were sent to the scene amid reports of a suspect package.
A spokesman Tweeted: "Officers are currently at #BakerStreet station following a security alert. Precautionary closure in place. Update to follow."
The station re-opened at around 5.30pm.
BTP said: "Upon assessment the item is not suspicious and officers will carry out an investigation into the circumstances."
Earlier today, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan spoke about his efforts to keep London safe on the 11th anniversary of the 7/7 London bombings, in which 52 people were brutally killed.
He said: "As Mayor, my first priority is to do everything possible to prevent a tragedy like this from happening again.
Baker Street station is on a shut down on security alert ?????? pic.twitter.com/m8XFWEmLoL
— HK (@hechkei) July 7, 2016
“By strengthening the bonds between Londoners from different backgrounds and focusing on real neighbourhood policing, we are making it easier for people to speak out and help root out and prevent radicalisation and extremism."
Baker Street serves five lines of the London Underground and is located close to a number of major tourist attractions including Madame Tussauds and the Sherlock Holmes Museum.