LONDON — A suspicious bundle was found outdoors the US embassy in London on Friday morning, police stated.
The London Metropolitan Police instantly closed Ponton Highway outdoors of the embassy in “an abundance of warning,” in accordance with their assertion, earlier than they destroyed it in a managed explosion.
“We’re conscious of hypothesis on-line about an incident within the neighborhood of the US Embassy in 9 Elms,” the Met Police stated. “Cordons are in place within the space as a precaution whereas officers examine a suspect bundle.”
Authorities up to date the scenario roughly an hour later after studies of a “loud bang” started circulating on-line.
Firefighters stand close to the U.S. Embassy, amid ongoing investigation following an incident in London, Britain, November 22, 2024. REUTERS/Mina Kim
Mina Kim/Reuters
“We are able to affirm that the ‘loud bang’ reported within the space a short while in the past was a managed explosion carried out by officers. Enquiries are nonetheless ongoing and cordons will stay in place in the intervening time,” police stated.
The U.S. embassy in London moved to a brand-new purpose-built location in January 2018. The 12-story authorities workplace — full with a moat surrounding it — price roughly $1 billion to assemble and was funded fully from proceeds of sale from different U.S. authorities property in London, in accordance with the U.S. authorities.
