Canadian embassy in U.S. evacuated after suspicious envelope found

By Katrina Jones Oct 26th, 2012 ( No Comment )

Washington: The Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C., was evacuated and an emergency was declared in the surroundings after a suspicious package was discovered in the mailroom Friday.

Accroding to embassy spokesman Chris Plunkett, the United States Secret Service was called to investigate after an envelope, which reports said contained an unknown white substance, was discovered.

“At that point, the Secret Service asked us to evacuate the embassy as a precaution, and so we have evacuated as a precaution,” Plunkett said.

The 325 employees left the building at 9:30 a.m. ET, and the iconic Pennsylvania Ave. in D.C. was closed.

Plunkett said the Secret Service gave the all clear about an hour later, and embassy staff re-entered the building at about 10:30 a.m.

“Secret Service has determined that the package is not dangerous, has removed it from the premises, and all embassy staff have now re-entered the building,” Plunkett said in an e-mail to reporters.

Firetrucks, police cars, and Secret Service vehicles surrounded the building Friday morning. The embassy is 2.4 km from the White House.