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Suspicious package found outside US embassy in London is ‘hoax device,’ police say

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Suspicious package found outside US embassy in London is ‘hoax device,’ police say

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A suspicious package found outside the U.S. embassy in London turned out to be a “hoax device,” metropolitan police said Friday morning.

The London Metropolitan Police said its officers carried out a “controlled explosion” of the device, which accounted for the “loud bang” many reported hearing near the embassy, located in the city’s Nine Elms district.

The area was cordoned off for several hours Friday morning while police investigated “as a precaution” after the device was discovered, the department said on social media site X.

The U.S. Embassy confirmed the suspicious package in its own post on X, adding that further updates would come from London police.

In its latest update, metro police said “initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow.”

“Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” metro police concluded.

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Part of London Gatwick Airport evacuated for ‘prohibited item’

At the same time as the device was being investigated, part of a major British airport in London was being evacuated due to an unspecified “security incident.”

The South Terminal has since reopened at the London Gatwick Airport after passengers were briefly barred from entering it “as a precaution” while the investigation took place, the airport said on X.

Sussex police said on X that the evacuation occurred after “the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” prompting a bomb disposal team to respond.

It was not immediately clear whether the incident was related to the device found outside the U.S. embassy.

However, police quickly cleared the scene and staff have been permitted to reenter the terminal, the airport said in an update. The terminal is expected to reopen to passengers shortly, but the airport cautioned travelers to check with airlines for any delays or cancellations to their flights.

“We would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding while this situation was resolved,” the airport said. “Safety and security is always our top priority.”

This article has been updated to add new information from police.

This is a developing story.

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com

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