UK police have declared that the suspicious package at Manchester Piccadilly bus station is safe and that there is no risk to the public.
The bomb squad, which promptly arrived at the scene, has left the area and the cordon has been lifted more than two hours after the initial reports of the suspicious package.
Earlier today, police cordoned off the bus station after reports that a suspicious package had been found on a bus, a statement published on Twitter said.
The bus has been evacuated and several roads in the area have been closed, according to police.
The police also called on people working nearby to follow the directions from law enforcement and avoid the area.
Law enforcement also said that enquiries are ongoing.
Police are currently at Manchester #Piccadilly bus station pic.twitter.com/YuSjfmm2I8
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) September 5, 2020
Several photos and videos of police at the site have emerged online.
Green coloured bus in Piccadilly Bus Station the focus of a major incident. pic.twitter.com/mdAHkGYxEt
— Pat Karney (@patkarney) September 5, 2020
Big cordon near Piccadilly Gardens. Huge police response @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/bxYs47R2tD
— Rebecca Day (@RebeccaDayMEN) September 5, 2020
Manchester Piccadilly @northwaleslive @DeesideDotCom@ @SkyNewsBreak pic.twitter.com/R6Elc62zTo
— Qasilver (@Qasilver1) September 5, 2020
In Manchester looks like a suspected package as been found on a bus all Piccadilly garden to Yates is all blocked off xxxxx pic.twitter.com/Uk80pG94GV
— Laura groarke (@Lauragr65516333) September 5, 2020
Transportation in the city has been diverted due to the ongoing police incident, as Piccadilly Gardens and Market Street have been closed.
According to Manchester Metrolink, all services apart from Ashton to Piccadilly have been operated via Exchange Square.