Indian consulate in Melbourne evacuated after receipt of 'suspicious' package
Melbourne, Jan 9 (IBNS): Suspicious packages have been received at at least five international consulates in Melbourne and Canberra, including the Indian one, spurring security personnel to take safety measures, media reports said.
The Indian and two other consulates were evacuated, said The Age, adding that the packages contained a white powder. The Australian Federal Police are investigating.
"At this time we believe the matter is targeted and not impacting the general community," Victoria Police Tweeted.
Victoria Police is aware of a number of consulate offices in Melbourne today receiving suspicious packages.
— Victoria Police (@VictoriaPolice) January 9, 2019
At this time we believe the matter is targeted and not impacting the general community.
📞 Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 pic.twitter.com/zGXAP9FTcT
The suspicious packages may have been sent to up to 22 locations.
Apart from the Indian consulate, the South Korean and New Zealand ones were evacuated as well, said the Age, adding that emergency services had attended the Greek and Pakistani consulates.
The Turkish consulate in South Melbourne also received a package as did, according to unconfirmed reports, the missions of Italy, Thailand, Spain, Egypt and Switzerland.
Image: @VictoriaPolice on Twitter
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