TOTAL NIGHTMARE NHS appointment chaos, trains cancelled, & supermarkets hit as Brits wake up to CHAOS in global Microsoft outage
BRITS have been hit by mayhem this morning with a global IT outage seeing travel chaos, NHS services cancelled, and TV pulled off air.
Major airports, airlines and railways have been hit by the suspected CrowdStrike issue that saw Microsoft services crash worldwide this morning.
It comes as television channels, banks, GPs and supermarkets around the world have been rocketed by the chaos.
Cybersecurity software firm CrowdStrike say they have identified the issue behind the global outage as a flawed anti-viral update.
The firm is reportedly used by Microsoft to handle various updates to their systems.
TRAINS AFFECTED
Passengers travelling via train this morning have been warned to check their route as mass cancellations and delays spark chaos.Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has urged passengers to expect disruption due to "widespread IT issues".
The parent company of Southern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express and Great Northern issued the alert across social media.
It read: "We are currently experiencing widespread IT issues across our entire network.
"Our IT teams are actively investigating to determine the root cause of the problem."We are unable to access driver diagrams at certain locations, leading to potential short-notice cancellations, particularly on the Thameslink and Great Northern networks.
"Additionally, other key systems, including our real-time customer information platforms, are also affected."We will provide additional updates when we can. In the meantime, please regularly check your journey before you travel."
Gatwick Express also warned travellers they are "currently experiencing widespread IT issues" across the entire network.
Meanwhile, South Western Railway confirmed there will be major disruption for their passengers too.
"Due to IT issues across the South Western Railway network all ticket vending machines are currently non operational," a message read on X.
"Please purchase your ticket online, on the train or speak to a member of station staff.
"We apologise for the inconvenience this causes."
National Rail has now warned to expect cancellations and delays over the "network wide" IT chaos.
In a post on National Rail’s website, the company said: "There are currently widespread IT issues across the entire network.
“IT teams are investigating to determine the root cause of the problem.
"As a result, some train operators are unable to access driver diagrams at certain locations, leading to potential short-notice train cancellations.
Global services affected by IT outage
Trains
- Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) - urged passengers to expect disruption due to "widespread IT issues"
- Gatwick Express - warned travellers they are "currently experiencing widespread IT issues"
- South Western Railway - all ticket vending machines are currently non operational - buy tickets online
- National Rail - some train operators are unable to access driver diagrams at certain locations, leading to potential short-notice train cancellations
- TransPennine Express - some TPE stations and systems are having IT issues - buy tickets online
Airports and airlines
- Manchester Airport - delays for those checking-in for Swissport flights
- London Gatwick - passengers may experience some delays while checking in and passing through security but should still arrive for their normal check-in time
- Ryanair - advise passengers to arrive at the airport three hours in advance of their flight to avoid any disruptions
- Edinburgh Airport - wait times longer than usual
- Stanstead Airport - some airline check-in services reverted to being done manually, but main operational systems are unaffected and flights are still operating as normal
- Luton Airport - running manual systems
- Heathrow Airport - affected but flights operational - check with airline on latest journey information
- American Airlines - all flights cancelled
- United and Delta - no flights taking off
- Mumbai Airport - check-in desks shut down for IndiGo, Akasa and Spice Jet flights
- Australian airline Qantas - flights grounded
- Schipol Airport in Amsterdam - flights to and from the Netherlands affected
Television Networks
- Sky News - Friday morning breakfast show unable to air but now back on screens with reporter reading from printed notes
Britain's GPs
- The Wilmslow Health Centre in Cheshire - without access to their IT systems
- Solihull Healthcare Partnership in the West Midlands - affected ability to book/consult with patients this morning
- Central Lakes Medical Group in Ambleside - stated there has been a "big effect" and delays on the phone expected
- Pocklington Group Practice in the East Riding of Yorkshire - appointments needing to be cancelled and rearranged
- Hulme Hall Medical Group, in Stockport - unable to offer any appointments
- Windrush Medical Practice in Witney, Oxfordshire - continuing as normal for urgent enquiries but ask for routine concerns to wait until Monday
Supermarkets
- Morrisons are affected
- Some Waitrose and Co-op are now cash only
- Gails and Waterstones experiencing some issues
- Woolworths supermarkets in Australia - self service machines not working
Events
- Manchester United ticket release postponed - morning’s ticket release will be postponed until midday and website will remain unavailable
Banks and supermarkets in Australia including Beyond Bank Australia have also been experiencing issues this morning.
Various Microsoft services in Japan and New Zealand are also battling tech issues.
"Additional, other key systems including real-time customer information platforms, are also affected."
The company issued a statement on X this morning.
It read: "Please be aware that some TPE stations and systems are having IT issues.
"Please purchase tickets on board if you are unable to do so in stations."
AIRLINES AND AIRPORTS
A host of major airports across the UK have reported issues this morning.
Ryanair has now warned of "potential disruptions across the network".
In a statement, the airline said: "Potential disruptions across the network (Fri 19 July) due to a global 3rd party system outage.
"Affected passengers will be notified and any passengers travelling across the network on Fri 19 July should check their Ryanair app for the latest updates on their flight.
CrowdStrike statement
Crowdstrike posted a message on their website which read: "Crowdstrike is aware of reports of crashes on Windows related the the Falcon Sensor."
They say they are still "working on" fixing it but have since reverted back to the old system to prevent any further disruption.
"We advise passengers to arrive at the airport 3 hours in advance of their flight to avoid any disruptions.
"We regret any inconvenience caused to passengers by this 3rd party IT issue, which is outside of Ryanair's control and affects all airlines operating across the network."
Manchester Airport has said the IT outage is only affecting Swissport, who handle some ground work for a few airlines.
Holidaymakers are still being checked-in manually which means delays for those travelling on flights supplied by Swissport.
A Manchester Airport spokesman confirmed passengers don't need to change arrangements and “we don’t want people thinking they need to come to the airport earlier because that can cause overcrowding”.
London Gatwick has since stated they have been affected by the global issue.
In a statement, the airport said: "We are affected by the global Microsoft issues, so passengers may experience some delays while checking in and passing through security.
"Passengers should still arrive for their normal check-in time. We apologise for any inconvenience and are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible."
Heathrow Airport confirmed the outage has affected them but flights are operational.
A spokesperson said: "Microsoft is currently experiencing a global outage which is impacting select systems at Heathrow.
"Flights are operational and we are implementing contingency plans to minimise any impact on journeys.
"Please check with your airline for the latest flight information."
Elsewhere, London Stansted Airport said that some airline check-in services are being done manually.
A spokesperson confirmed: "Some retail payment machine services have been impacted, and some airline check-in services reverted to being done manually, but our main operational systems are unaffected and flights are still operating as normal."
What is CrowdStrike?
THE global cyber outage affecting TV channels, banks, hospitals, airports and emergency services appears to relate to an issue at cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike.
IT security firm CrowdStrike ran a recorded phone message on Friday - saying it was aware of reports of crashes on Microsoft's Windows operating system relating to its Falcon sensor.
A prerecorded message said: "Thanks for contacting CrowdStrike support. CrowdStrike is aware of reports of crashes on Windows... related to the Falcon sensor."
The Falcon system monitors the computers it is installed on and detects hacks and bugs before responding to them.
CrowdStrike, headquartered in Austin, Texas, says it is a global security leader which provides an advanced platform to protect data.
A CrowdStrike update on Friday is said to have caused a critical error in Microsoft operating systems, affecting millions worldwide.
The company regularly updates systems with new anti-virus software
Toby Murray, associate professor in the School of Computing and Information Systems at The University of Melbourne, Australia said: "If Falcon is suffering a malfunction then it could be causing a widespread outage for two reasons .
"One: Falcon is widely deployed on many computers, and two: because of Falcon's privileged nature.
"Falcon is a bit like anti-virus software: it is regularly updated with information about the latest online threats.
"It is possible that today's outage may have been caused by a buggy update to Falcon.".
Cyber expert Troy Hunt told Australian TV network Seven: “It looks like they've pushed a bad update, which is presently nuking every machine that takes it."
And, Edinburgh Airport has also reported issues caused by the global crash.
Posting on its official X account, the airport said: "An IT system outage means wait times are longer than usual at the airport.
"This outage is affecting many other businesses, including airports. Work is ongoing to resolve this and our teams are on hand to assist where we can. Passengers are thanked for their patience."
Luton Airport said the global IT outage is affecting some airlines and operations are continuing with manual systems.
A spokesperson wrote on X: "We are aware of an ongoing global IT issue that is impacting check-in and boarding procedures for some airlines.
"We have additional staff on hand to support and operations are continuing with manual systems.
"Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for flight updates."
GP SURGERIES
GP surgeries have confirmed they are now unable to access patient records or book appointments.
Practices have taken to social media to report they cannot access the EMIS Web system.
EMIS Web is the most widely used clinical system for primary care in the UK.
The Wilmslow Health Centre in Cheshire wrote on X: "All practices in the UK using the NHS commissioned GP computer system EMIS are currently without access to their IT systems.
"This is beyond the control of GP surgeries. Please bear with us until we have our IT systems back online."
Solihull Healthcare Partnership in the West Midlands said there is a "national issue" with EMIS Web.
It said on X: "Unfortunately there is a national issue with EMIS Web - our clinical computer system.
"This will affect our ability to book/consult with patients this morning.
Microsoft Statement
Microsoft announced it is taking "mitigation actions" against the issues.
They said on X: "Our services are still seeing continuous improvements while we continue to take mitigation actions.
"We remain committed in treating this event with the highest priority and urgency while we continue to address the lingering impact for the remaining Microsoft 365 apps that are in a degraded state."
"We will update patients when we can. We apologise for the disruption."
Other GP surgeries hit by the outage have said the issue "will have a big effect".
Central Lakes Medical Group in Ambleside wrote on X: "We're impacted by the IT outage.
"This will have a big effect on us, so apologies in advance for the inconvenience caused, and delays on the phone."
Another post by Pocklington Group Practice in the East Riding of Yorkshire said: "Due to ongoing Windows issues affecting IT worldwide, the practice is currently unable to function as normal.
"This may result in appointments needing to be cancelled and rearranged. Updates will follow when available."
Hulme Hall Medical Group, based in Stockport, sent this message to all patients: "For the attention of all patients. There is a nationwide problem with our computer systems. This includes appointment making and accessing patient records.
"We are unable to offer any appointments at the moment until this issue is resolved. If you feel you need urgent medical attention please contact 111. Only ring 999 if you believe it is a life-threatening emergency. Alternatively visit the Walk-In Centre or local Hospital.
"We hope this issue will be resolved soon and we apologize for the inconvenience."
A GP practice in Oxfordshire has asked patients with "routine concerns" to wait until Monday amid an IT outage.
Writing on X, Windrush Medical Practice in Witney, said: "There is a nationwide outage of our booking system EMIS.
"We're continuing as normal for urgent enquiries but ask for routine concerns to wait until Monday.
"Please continue to submit your queries through Engage Consult. Thank you."
It comes as Sky News was also this morning knocked off the air completely, with the outlet airing archive footage instead.
The Friday breakfast show was cancelled as baffled viewers say a statement "apologising" for disruption flash up on their screens.
It has since returned to air, welcoming viewers back to the channel, the morning anchor said: "A major global IT outage is hitting businesses worldwide, including here at Sky News."
The presenters read from printed out notes during the report.
Customers trying to access their banks this morning have also found they are locked out due to the IT problem.
Concerning reports further confirmed the outage has affected the London Stock Exchange - although it is still running.
The Manchester United ticket release has also been postponed.
A statement on X read: "Unfortunately, due to a global Microsoft Servers outage which is affecting many systems, including ours, this morning’s ticket release will be postponed until midday.
"The website will also remain unavailable until the issue is resolved. Further updates will be provided here, including any further potential delays."
GLOBAL CHAOS
It comes as all American Airlines flights have been grounded across the pond due to the major outage.
Meanwhile, airborne flights are set to remain circling in airspace above until the issue has been resolved, confirmed the Federal Aviation Agency.
And, other major airlines United and Delta have stated no flights will be taking off.
In worrying reports, emergency service lines in the Unites States are understood to be affected.
There have been claims that 911 emergency lines are down in several states including Arizona, Indiana, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Ohio and Alaska.
Various Microsoft services in Japan and New Zealand are also battling tech issues this morning.Elsewhere, Mumbai Airport is the latest to fall victim to the outage, which has seen check-in desks shut down for IndiGo, Akasa and Spice Jet flights.
Australian banks and supermarkets have now reported checkouts going down after being hit by the IT outage.
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