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The US embassy said on X that the police had closed a road near the building out of “an abundance of caution”.
The U.S. embassy said on X that the police had closed a road near the building out of an abundance of caution. (X)
British police officers on Friday carried out a controlled explosion near the United States (US) embassy in London after they found an abandoned and suspicious package outside the embassy.
“We can confirm that the ‘loud bang’ reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers. Enquiries are still ongoing and cordons will remain in place for the time being,” London’s Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
We can confirm that the ‘loud bang’ reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers.Enquiries are still ongoing and cordons will remain in place for the time being.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) November 22, 2024
The Metropolitan Police force conducted the explosion after setting up cordons near the high-security site in Nine Elms, south of the River Thames.
The US embassy has said that the authorities were investigating the suspicious item found outside the building. It further said that police had closed a road near the building out of “an abundance of caution”.
Local authorities are investigating a suspicious package outside the U.S. Embassy in London. Met Police are present and have closed Ponton Road out of an abundance of caution. We will provide further updates when available. Please monitor @metpoliceuk for updates.— U.S. Embassy London (@USAinUK) November 22, 2024
The police in an earlier statement said that they were aware of speculation about the incident online.
The US moved its embassy from Mayfair, central London, to a 12-storey purpose-built glass cube in Nine Elms in 2018, partly for safety reasons.
The formerly industrial area now houses dozens of upmarket apartment buildings alongside Battersea Power Station, a 1930s-era building recognisable for its red brick and white chimneys, which has been redeveloped as a shopping and tourist centre.
(With inputs from agencies)
- Location :
London, United Kingdom (UK)
