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The main facility of the El Paso Veterans Administration Medical Center in the state of Texas was evacuated late Tuesday afternoon due to a bomb threat, the local ABC7 news channel reported, citing officials.
The alleged incident occurred at around 3:30 pm local time, as a "Code Black" was announced at the VA facility at 5001 N. Piedras Street. The introduction of such a classification indicates that there is an urgent threat that necessitates the evacuation of the building.
The facility's visitors and staff were reportedly instructed to "gather your belongings and evacuate immediately - do not return."
According to the Department of Veteran Affairs website, the VA Health Care System facility, which is almost 23,226 square meters (250,000 square feet) and situated in a four-story building, opened in October 1995. It operates a Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Las Cruces, New Mexico, that provides primary and specialized ambulatory services to veterans in El Paso and nearby counties.