When considering the worst things that can happen to luggage, people might think of theft or loss, but for dozens of British Airways travelers, something unthinkable happened. Their luggage was covered in sewage when a pipe burst at the airport.
About 100 suitcases were covered in sewage when a pipe in the sewage system of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 exploded in the baggage holdings area on Monday. Passengers had to wait days to receive their luggage as the airport sent the suitcases to be cleaned.
"The smell was absolutely foul, as was the mood of the passengers who had to leave without their bags," one source told British Tabloid, The Sun.
A spokesman for airport operator BAA Heathrow spoke to The Independent about the incident.
"We appreciate this will be upsetting for passengers. The bags have now been cleaned and are being reunited with their owners," he said.
The airline apologized to passengers whose luggage was affected by the incident.
The Independent notes that Terminal 5, which opened in March 2008, was built on top of a site that was owned by Perry Oaks sewage works. Some suspect this may have had something to do with the issue.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
