100 suitcases drenched in raw sewage after pipe bursts at Heathrow Terminal 5

Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 (Image courtesy of the Press Association )

British Airways passengers are kicking up a stink after a pipe burst at Heathrow Terminal 5, drenching 100 suitcases in raw sewage.

The leak occurred in the terminal’s baggage hold on Monday, with travellers forced to leave their bags behind after the airport sent them off to be cleaned.

Many of the passengers are still waiting for their luggage to be returned.

A source told The Sun: 'The smell was absolutely foul, as was the mood of the passengers who had to leave without their bags.'

There was some speculation that Monday’s problem could be linked to the fact that Terminal 5, which was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in March 2008, was built on a site previously occupied by Perry Oaks sewage works.

A spokesman for the airport operator, BAA Heathrow, said: 'There was a leak from the sewage system in the baggage area of Terminal 5 on Monday which affected around a hundred bags.

'We appreciate this will be upsetting for passengers. The bags have now been cleaned and are being reunited with their owners.'

British Airways also apologised to its passengers for the incident and any inconvenience caused.