Mass Panic at Barcelona El Prat Airport Terminal 2 Sparks Chaos; Investigation Finds No Weapons Involved
BARCELONA, Spain — Hundreds of travelers were sent into panic at Barcelona–El Prat Airport’s Terminal 2 (T2) on Monday after a disturbance triggered fears of a possible violent incident, prompting crowds to flee through the terminal.
Videos shared on social media showed passengers running through the airport, abandoning luggage and ducking for cover as confusion spread throughout the terminal.
Initial rumors circulating online claimed a man armed with a knife was responsible for the panic. However, subsequent investigations found no evidence of a knife, firearm, or shooting.
According to preliminary information, the incident began when a group of passengers who had missed their flight became upset, shouting and allegedly knocking over glass barriers inside the terminal. The commotion caused alarm among nearby travelers, many of whom believed there was a serious security threat.
As fear spread, hundreds of passengers began running in different directions, creating scenes of chaos inside the airport.
One witness described the frightening moments, saying travelers and airport staff experienced significant fear as people rushed to escape what they believed was a dangerous situation.
“It was complete panic,” the witness said. “People were running, throwing their belongings aside, and trying to get away without knowing what was happening.”
Authorities said the panic also led to confrontations between some passengers amid the confusion.
Following an investigation, officials confirmed there was no knife, no gun, and no active shooter. The disturbance was determined to have been caused by the passenger group’s outburst and the resulting crowd reaction.
Airport operations were affected briefly while security personnel responded and worked to restore order.
Authorities continue to review the incident and are reminding travelers to rely on official information during emergencies, as unverified reports can quickly fuel panic and create additional safety risks.
The incident remains under review, and additional information may be released as the investigation continues.