Suspicious packages found in Melbourne
A major emergency response was launched by the authorities in Australia after suspicious packages were found at several diplomatic missions, including the Indian Consulate in Melbourne on Wednesday. Packages were delivered to at least 10 international consulates across Melbourne. Firefighters and Ambulance Victoria paramedics were attending the Indian Consulate and US Consulate on St Kilda Road.
A tweet posted by the Australian Federal Police read, "Police and emergency services have responded to suspicious packages to embassies and consulates... The packages are being examined by attending emergency services. The circumstances are being investigated.”
The Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) said it was assisting the Australian Federal Police at a number of incidents at embassies across Melbourne.
Other places that are also believed to have been affected are the United Kingdom Consulate, located on Collins Street, along with the Korean Consulate (St Kilda Road), German Consulate (Queen Street), Italian Consulate (St Kilda Road), Swiss Consulate (Ashwood), Pakistan Consulate (Cardigan Place), Greek Consulate (Albert Road) and the Indonesian Consulate (Queens Road).
Reports of any injuries were not available so far as emergency workers wearing chemical suits were seen entering some of the buildings.
More than a dozen hazardous material alerts have been issued on the VicEmergency website.
