A loud bang was heard near the US Embassy in London today, prompting a heavy police response and a temporary lockdown in the area. The Metropolitan Police quickly confirmed that the noise was the result of a controlled explosion carried out by officers to safely deal with a suspicious package.
According to the police, the incident occurred in the Nine Elms area, where the US Embassy is located. Authorities took to social media platform X to provide updates, confirming that they had placed cordons in the area as a precaution while investigating the suspicious package.
“We’re aware of speculation online about an incident in the vicinity of the US Embassy in Nine Elms. Cordons are in place in the area as a precaution while officers investigate a suspect package,” the Metropolitan Police wrote. In a follow-up tweet, they confirmed that the loud bang reported earlier was indeed a controlled explosion conducted by officers. “Enquiries are still ongoing, and cordons will remain in place for the time being,” the police added.
A police officer at the scene later described the situation as “really quite serious” and emphasized the ongoing investigation.
The area around the embassy was swiftly locked down, with civilians in the vicinity being escorted away from the building. Some were reportedly trapped inside the embassy for over half an hour due to the automatic doors locking during the security alert. The embassy staff, however, remained inside the building as the situation unfolded.
The US Embassy in London also issued a statement via its official social media channels, confirming that local authorities were investigating the suspicious package. The embassy further informed its followers that Met Police had closed Ponton Road out of caution and advised the public to monitor official updates.
“We will provide further updates when available. Please monitor @metpoliceuk for updates,” the embassy’s social media post read.
The incident caused disruptions in local transportation, with bus routes 156, 344, and 436 being diverted due to the police presence and closure of nearby roads.
As the investigation continues, authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and avoid the area while the cordons remain in place. The situation is being closely monitored, with further updates expected from the police.
Sources By Agencies
