London Police Detonate Hoax Device Outside US Embassy

The US Embassy in Nine Elms was locked down as authorities conducted a controlled explosion of a suspicious package, later identified as a hoax.

A suspicious package was discovered near the US Embassy in London’s Nine Elms district on Friday morning, prompting a lockdown and police investigation.
Metropolitan Police carried out a controlled explosion of the package, causing a loud bang that was heard in the area; the item was later determined to be a hoax device.
Cordons were established around the embassy, disrupting local traffic and access, while visa appointments and other public services at the embassy were canceled for the day.
Emergency responders, including armed police, firefighters, and sniffer dogs, were deployed to ensure the area was safe, with no injuries or further threats reported.
The incident coincided with a separate security alert at London’s Gatwick Airport, where part of the South Terminal was evacuated due to a prohibited item in luggage.