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Access to the queue to see Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin has been temporarily barred as authorities warn that the area in southeast London where the procession begins has “reached capacity”, with waiting times reach 14 hours.
Hundreds of thousands of mourners line up to pay their respects to the longest-reigning monarch.
The UK government said Friday that “Southwark Park has reached capacity. Please do not queue until reopening.”
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The Guardian reported that access to the queue was not immediately blocked and people continued to rush in, with one official saying he had not received formal communication that mourners should be barred from access. .
There was confusion as the line was closed by authorities at 12:05pm London time and briefly reopened 13 minutes later to allow the flow of people to enter.
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The gate seems to have closed again. We plan to reopen at 4pm in London.
It is unknown at this time if there will be another queue joining the main line.
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Queues extended about five miles from Westminster to Southwark Park, with reported wait times of 14 hours, according to several London-based outlets on Friday.
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The BBC reported on Thursday that mourners could wait up to 30 hours to reach Westminster.
The Queen’s body will remain in Westminster Hall until her burial on Monday.