Police respond as ‘suspicious package’ sent to British consulate in Melbourne
Emergency crews have been sent to the scene.
Police are “dealing” with a report of a suspicious package which has been delivered to the British consulate in Melbourne, Australia, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has said.
Local media has reported similar parcels were delivered to consulates and embassies of the United States, New Zealand, Germany, India and Switzerland.
The Metropolitan Fire Brigade in Melbourne has sent units to reports of “hazardous material”, according to the Vic Emergency website.
A spokeswoman for the service said: “We are assisting the Australian Federal Police right now with a number of incidents across Melbourne.”
Pictures posted on social media show cordons outside the Indian and South Korean consulates, both on St Kilda Road in the south of the city.
A spokeswoman for the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said: “Police and emergency services have responded to suspicious packages delivered to embassies in Melbourne today.
“The packages are being examined by attending emergency services.
“The circumstances surrounding these incidents are being investigated.”
The AFP added suspicious packages were also sent to embassies and consulates in the Australian capital Canberra.
A spokeswoman said: “As this matter is subject to further inquiries, it is not appropriate to provide further information that may impact on the investigation.”
