Intruder dashes onto Heathrow runway

The black-clad intruder scaled a perimeter fence and dashed towards the Northern Runway of Londons Heathrow Airport on Thursday just as an Emirates plane was about to take off.

London, Mar.14 : The black-clad intruder scaled a perimeter fence and dashed towards the Northern Runway of London's Heathrow Airport on Thursday just as an Emirates plane was about to take off.

According to The Sun, the 26-year-old Sri Lankan suspect was arrested at gunpoint on Thursday afternoon.

Witnesses said the jet then took off as the officers stood over the man at the side of the runway.

A black rucksack he was carrying was later destroyed in a controlled explosion - but was found to contain only clothing.

The unnamed suspect was taken to nearby Heathrow police station for questioning.

The reason for his break-in was still unknown last night, but terrorism was ruled out.

Several domestic flights were cancelled in the alert following a second security breach at Heathrow in as many weeks.

Last month, Greenpeace protesters staged a demo on a runway.

Aviation security expert Chris Yates said last night: "This should never happen at a major international airport like Heathrow."

ANI