POLICE in London have reportedly carried out a controlled explosion near the Gherkin building after cordoning off the area due to a 'suspicious package'.
In a statement on Twitter, City of London Police advised people to avoid the area, and for those in nearby buildings to follow workplace protocol.
“We’ve put cordons around St Mary Axe due to a report of a suspicious package (a box) in Bury St received at 8.56am (0856 GMT)," they wrote.
The Gherkin’s address is 30 St Mary Axe.
This is the controlled explosion outside the #gherkin on St Mary Axe, City of London. Looks like a microwave, red parts appear to be packaging. Area still locked down pic.twitter.com/pkCDuRkKCY
— Matthew Reeves (@ReevoGamgee) March 23, 2018
“We’d ask people to avoid the area while we deal with the incident, and for people in nearby buildings to follow their internal procedures.”
A number of people on lockdown nearby have taken to Twitter after witnessing a 'controlled explosion' being carried out on the object.
"Controlled explosion outside Gherkin a few mins ago. Whelp," wrote one.
Another said: "Bomb scare at gherkin, controlled explosion and I’m locked next door."
