London’s Metropolitan Police has confirmed that a controlled explosion was carried out near the US Embassy in Nine Elms on Friday. This incident occurred when information was received about a suspicious package being found in the area. Gatwick Airport has been evacuated after this incident. The US Embassy in London said: “Local authorities are investigating a suspicious package outside the US Embassy in London. The Met Police are in attendance and Ponton Road has been closed as a precaution.”
According to the AP report, police said that no one was injured in the attack, but as a precaution, a road on the western side of the embassy has been closed. London’s Metropolitan Police Service says it is continuing to investigate the incident.
Local authorities are investigating a suspicious package outside the US Embassy in London. Met Police are present and have closed Ponton Road out of an abundance of caution. We will provide further updates when available. please monitor @metpoliceuk for updates.
— US Embassy London (@USAinUK) November 22, 2024
US Embassy canceled all appointments for November 22
Issuing a post on Twitter, the US Embassy said, “The Embassy has returned to normal business operations, except that all public appointments (visa appointments, passport appointments and other US citizen services) for November 22 have been canceled . Applicants will be contacted via email to reschedule. “Local authorities investigated and removed a suspicious package outside the embassy.”
US Embassy thanks Met Police
The US Embassy thanked the Met Police, saying, “Thank you for your prompt action and thank you to all visitors for your cooperation and patience during this time.
The US Embassy is back to normal business operations, with the exception that all public appointments (visa appointments, passport appointments, and other American Citizen services) for 22 November have been cancelled. Applicants will be contacted via email to reschedule. Local…
— US Embassy London (@USAinUK) November 22, 2024