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Part of Manchester’s bustling city centre was evacuated, and bomb squad officers were called after a “suspicious object” was discovered on a bus.
Piccadilly Gardens cordoned off and witnesses said they were told to leave the domain as “an emergency problem,” while a local councillor said there could possibly have been three incidents elsewhere.
Greater Manchester police officers were called to the scene just after 1pm after the object was found.
Three hours later, specialized officials gave the go-ahead and began to lift the cordon.
The bus was evacuated as a precautionary measure and a cordon was installed around the site, with several roads closed and pedestrians were suggested to back off.
Councilman Pat Karney, who posted photos and videos of police activity, said what looked like a “bomb squad” at the scene.
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He tweeted: “The crowds have been expelled from Piccadilly, we presume for our safety.
“Listen to the other people on the bus say there have been 3 incidents elsewhere. “
He also wrote: “Looks like the bomb squad here. She’s heading for the bus at the station. “
Mr Karney said a helicopter was flying over the city centre and that four ambulances were on site, as well as several police vehicles.
One witness wrote on Twitter that “many cops” were “telling others to leave the domain as “an emergency problem. “
A woman who got into the tragedy said she was in a slug bar
She wrote on Twitter: “Currently trapped in Slug
He later tweeted: “I’ve been evacuated from Slug
The bus and tram were interrupted.
A police spokesman said: “At approximately 1. 15 p. m. today, police were required to report that a suspicious item had been discovered on a bus at Manchester Piccadilly bus station.
“Agents are provided and several roads are closed.
“The bus was evacuated as a precautionary measure and a cord remains in place.
“Investigations are ongoing. “
The force added: “Please, the Piccadilly Gardens/Piccadilly Bus Station area, while we deal with an ongoing incident. “