A suspected bomb plot at a UK airbase used by the United States took a surprising turn on Tuesday, September 30, 2026, as police revealed that no explosives were found, but a quantity of petrol was recovered from vehicles seized nearby. The Royal Air Force Fairford base in southwest England was evacuated on Sunday after a resident reported seeing several vans "acting suspiciously".
The incident began on Sunday when a resident alerted police to the suspicious vans, leading to an evacuation of the nearby village and a "major incident" declaration. National Counter Terrorism Policing head Laurence Taylor stated that the vehicles were extensively examined, and no improvised explosive devices were found. However, a quantity of petrol was recovered from the vehicles.
The development raised questions about the incident, particularly after five London-based Britons were released on bail on Monday after being arrested early Sunday on explosives and terror offences. US President Donald Trump expressed surprise at the decision, saying "I wouldn't have done that." Trump's Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, alleged that a "foreign actor" was involved in the incident.
Speculation surrounding the incident was widespread, with some theories suggesting that the men could be fuel thieves, given the rising energy prices in the UK. The airbase, used by the US military to launch strikes on Iran, had its security heightened recently. Britain gave Washington permission in March to use Fairford for "specific defensive operations into Iran" to destroy Iranian missiles at source.
The scare forced 85 homes in a nearby village to be evacuated, with many residents having to stay elsewhere for at least one night. Police searched homes in London and hoped to stand down investigative operations on Wednesday. A resident in the neighbouring village of Kempsford, Patricia, 60, expressed relief that the incident was not a terrorist attack, saying it was "very embarrassing that people around the world thought it was a terrorist attack."
The incident began after a farmer living in the village of Whelford near the airbase rang police, reporting three vans blocking a road and a group of masked men fleeing the scene. British media reported that officers had already been alerted by one of the suspects before the farmer's call, although police have not publicly commented on the reports.
The five arrested men, all London residents in their mid-20s, were released on bail and remain under investigation, adhering to strict conditions. Aerial footage of the vans showed they appeared to contain barrels, and at least one was marked with a fake logo and phone number, giving the false impression that it was owned by a legitimate diesel delivery firm.
Key points
- No explosives were found in the vehicles, but a quantity of petrol was recovered.
- Five London-based Britons were arrested and later released on bail on explosives and terror offences.
- The incident raised questions about security at the Royal Air Force Fairford base, used by the US military for operations against Iran.
