US Embassy Operations In London Back To Normal After Security Alert Disrupts Affairs
A security alert was issued at the US embassy in London on Wednesday after a suspicious package was noticed lying unattended outside the building. However, the situation is back to normal now.
A security alert was issued at the US embassy in London on Wednesday. Embassy staffers were evacuated and told to stay 'far away from the windows', according to British media reports. However, the situation was brought under control by the police in some time. The alert was issued after a suspicious package was noticed lying unattended outside the building, according to news agency Reuters.
The alert was issued around 10 am (local time) in London.
Thanking the police for their swift action, the US Embassy tweeted: "The US Embassy is back to normal business operations. Local authorities investigated and cleared a suspicious package outside the Embassy. Thanks to @metpoliceuk for your swift action, and thanks to all visitors for your cooperation and patience at this time."
The entire embassy building was reportedly put under lockdown due to the security threat. Videos and photos shared by Twitter users showed people crouched far away from doors, windows, and glass walls as security personnel kept a close vigil. The Nine Elms area in London, where the Embassy is located, was cordoned off after the security threat.
In the images shared online, cops armed with automatic weapons could be seen talking to security personnel at the embassy.
MailOnline reported that a witness, who lives near the embassy could see the building from their window. She was quoted as saying that there were "armed police and sniffer dogs patrolling the area". People tweeted about how they could see increased activity at the US embassy building and that they had been asked to stay away from it.
According to The Sun, the police later confirmed that the incident was just a "false alarm". Officers had reportedly been asked to "stand down" after the confirmation. The security alert was finally called off around 11 am (local time), about an hour after it was issued.
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