White House Briefly Locked Down After Reports Of Airspace Violation Over Washington DC

The evacuations were ordered as a precaution and lasted about half an hour. The US Secret Service says personnel at the White House were told to remain in place.

The evacuations were ordered as a precaution and lasted about half an hour. (File Photo/ Getty)

Washington DC/ New Delhi: The White House in Washington, DC, was briefly put on lockdown after an airspace violation was reported, law enforcement officials told NBC News. The reports also informed that fighter jets were scrambled and Capitol Hill was evacuated by the security officials soon after movement was reported.  The concerns were over a small aircraft in the area. Officials say the plane violated airspace rules in the restricted area on Tuesday. The evacuations were ordered as a precaution and lasted about half an hour. The US Secret Service says personnel at the White House were told to remain in place. News agency Associated Press reported that Capitol Police sent a notification of a potential threat shortly after 8:30 am, and the evacuations were ordered. People were allowed back in after about 30 minutes. A US defence official said this is a group of senior national security officials across the agencies to coordinate and monitor the situation. “It (the aircraft) is not known to be hostile at this time,” an official added. Two US Capitol Police sources said the situation is being classified as an “aircon”, which is an as-yet unidentified incoming aircraft. Washington airspace restrictions were severely tightened after the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on New York and Washington. (With inputs from agencies. Further details awaited)