MOSCOW, December 16 (Sputnik) – A questionable-looking unclaimed package which was found in the Canberra suburb of Barton on the premises of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) on Tuesday afternoon has been deemed "non-suspicious" by the Australian police in a statement.
BREAKING: Package found at DFAT deemed non-suspicious. More info to come #DFATevac
— ACT Policing (@ACTPolicing) 16 декабря 2014
Earlier on Tuesday, the police evacuated the staff of the DFAT as a precautionary measure.
Exclusion zone around DFAT. Please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/n4xwQbr8nA
— ACT Policing (@ACTPolicing) 16 декабря 2014
The areas near the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade building that had been cordoned off have been re-opened.
The mysterious package was found in the cafeteria area of the department, ACT (Australian Capital Territory) Policing said in a statement.
Police investigating suspicious package in the canteen area of the Dept Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in Barton. http://t.co/pe4WgGjv81
— ACT Policing (@ACTPolicing) 16 декабря 2014
The incident comes a day after a hostage drama at a café in central Sydney led to the deaths of two hostages and a gunman and left six people injured.
The staff and visitors to the Sydney Opera House were also evacuated on Monday after the discovery of the suspicious-looking package.
