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Three EasyJet planes flying to London Gatwick airport declared mid-air emergencies within seconds of each other this afternoon.

The planes were approaching the busy airport for landing when they issued the squawk 7700 calls – aviation term for general emergency.

It soon emerged that Gatwick's runway had been temporarily closed due to damage, forcing several flights to divert or circle and wait to land.

The runway reopened a short time later after the damage was fixed, a spokesman for the airport confirmed.

The spokesman said: “Gatwick’s main runway was temporarily closed today at 15"58 due to an inspection and reopened again at 16"22.”

Reports on social media suggested "loose tarmac" was spotted as a British Airways plane was preparing to take off.

The EasyJet emergency calls initially caused a frenzy on social media, with aviation specialist Airlive writing on Twitter: "It looks like there is something wrong at Gatwick."

Another wrote: “What’s happening at Gatwick Airport? 2 easyJet planes just diverted with emergency squawks, loads of vehicles on the runway.”

(Image: Corbis via Getty Images)

A third said: “3 EasyJet A320 family aircrafts are squawking 7700 they are all supposed to land in Gatwick now does anyone know what is going on?”

It remains unknown why the EasyJet flights made the emergency calls.

The flights that were affected were returning from Innsbruck, Thessaloniki and Rome.

Daily Star Online has contacted EasyJet for comment.