Police evacuated the famous La Sagrada Familia cathedral Tuesday in Barcelona and cordoned off the surrounding area in response to a possible terror threat.
Bomb disposal experts deployed to the area to investigate a van with a reportedly suspicious package inside, according to Daily Mail. Authorities evacuated La Sagrada Familia, shut down the nearest metro station, closed several roads, and ordered tourists and locals to stay away from outdoor bar and cafe terraces.
BREAKING: Police have evacuated Barcelona’s landmark Sagrada Familia cathedral amid anti-terrorism operation.
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 12, 2017
Terrorists connected with last month’s van attack in Barcelona explicitly listed the iconic cathedral as a target for jihadist bombing. An unnamed spokesman for Mossos d’Esquadra regional police confirmed the evacuation of the cathedral and surrounding area, according to the Associated Press.
UPDATE: Barcelona Police declared the terrorism threat a false alarm by 9:50 p.m. in Barcelona according to AP. Bomb disposal experts found no explosives in the van, and police said that neither of the two occupants of the van were terrorists.
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