The NYPD scrambled to evacuate the World Trade Center station after reports of a suspicious package left on a train prompted fears of a bomb threat.
Officials urged people to stay away from the building known as the Oculus, which houses the station, just before 1.30pm.
Commuters were rushed out of the building in New York’s Financial District following the alert.
Footage and images from the scene showed a heavy police presence along with members of the armed forces in the building.
The NYPD said: “Due to a police investigation please avoid The Oculus at this time.”
The Oculus has since reopened, however, trains to the station were cancelled. The building was one of those constructed following the 9/11 attacks on the Twin Towers. It houses subway and PATH train platforms.
Officials said that PATH trains between Hoboken and the World Trade Center were suspended as police investigated the incident. No. 1 trains were bypassing the station in both directions.
The initial 911 call was for a pressure cooker which was left on a PATH train. the NYPD Bomb Squad is investigating the package.
It is believed to have been on the train for around one hour before it was discovered.
Pressure cookers have been used previously as part of improvised explosive devices, or IEDs.
At 4.12pm EST, the NYPD appeared to give the all clear in a Twitter update.
“Advisory Update: Following an earlier closure, traffic will resume back to normal. Expect residual delays in the surrounding area,” the department said.
More to follow…
