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Suspicious packages sent to embassies and consulates in Melbourne and Canberra Suspicious packages sent to embassies and consulates in Melbourne and Canberra
(35 minutes later)
Emergency services in Melbourne are responding to reports that suspicious packages have been found at international embassies and consulates in Melbourne and Canberra.Emergency services in Melbourne are responding to reports that suspicious packages have been found at international embassies and consulates in Melbourne and Canberra.
The Emergency Management Victoria website showed that firefighters were responding to reports of hazardous materials at the British consulate general in Collins Street and at several locations on St Kilda Road, in the vicinity of the US, Turkish, Italian and Korean consulates. The Emergency Management Victoria website showed firefighters were responding to reports of hazardous materials at the British consulate general in Collins Street and at several locations on St Kilda Road, in the vicinity of the US, Turkish, Italian and Korean consulates.
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Hazardous material warnings were also shown near the Indonesian, Thai, Greek, Egyptian and Japanese consulates in Melbourne.Hazardous material warnings were also shown near the Indonesian, Thai, Greek, Egyptian and Japanese consulates in Melbourne.
Authorities did not confirm the specific locations or intended targets of any of the packages, but the Australian federal police confirmed it was investigating and would examine the packages.Authorities did not confirm the specific locations or intended targets of any of the packages, but the Australian federal police confirmed it was investigating and would examine the packages.
The AFP said some embassies and consulates in Canberra had also been affected.The AFP said some embassies and consulates in Canberra had also been affected.
All of the incidents that matched the addresses of consulates in Melbourne were declared under control.All of the incidents that matched the addresses of consulates in Melbourne were declared under control.
There was also an alert of a hazardous material incident at Yertchuch Avenue in Ashwood, in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, where the Swiss consulate is based. The incident was subsequently marked under control.There was also an alert of a hazardous material incident at Yertchuch Avenue in Ashwood, in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, where the Swiss consulate is based. The incident was subsequently marked under control.
The Metropolitan Fire Brigade and AFP officers attended the incidents, as did paramedics. The metropolitan fire brigade and AFP officers attended the incidents, as did paramedics.
Australian Associated Press reported that staff at the consulate general of India were evacuated from the building for about 40 minutes and ordered not to talk to media, while reporters outside the consulate general of the Republic of Korea reported seeing at least one person in a hazmat suit enter the building. Australian Associated Press reported staff at the consulate general of India were evacuated from the building for about 40 minutes and ordered not to talk to media, while reporters outside the consulate general of the Republic of Korea reported seeing at least one person in a hazmat suit enter the building.
Paramedic in a hazmat suit enters the Korean consulate in Melbourne... AFP has yet to confirm the nature of ‘suspicious packages’ sent to multiple consulates in Melbourne.. ⁦@7NewsMelbourne⁩ pic.twitter.com/axTFXFZBr0 The packages are reported to have been marked as containing asbestos.
Fire crews and police are at the Indian consulate in Melbourne. Staff evacuated sitting outside @AAPNewswire pic.twitter.com/Roc06bVxwj Emergency Management Victoria maps showed 11 active hazardous material incidents on Wednesday afternoon, but the number was rapidly falling.
Emergency Management Victoria mapping showed 11 active hazardous material incidents on Wednesday afternoon, but the number was rapidly falling. It comes two days after a suspicious package was sent to the Argentinian consulate in Sydney. New South Wales Fire and Rescue said that package was non-toxic.
It comes two days after a suspicious package was sent to the Argentinian consulate in Sydney. New South Wales police said that package was non-toxic.
Guardian Australia has sought comment from the AFP.Guardian Australia has sought comment from the AFP.
Australia newsAustralia news
MelbourneMelbourne
CanberraCanberra
VictoriaVictoria
Australian Capital TerritoryAustralian Capital Territory
Australian police and policingAustralian police and policing
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