Police carry out controlled explosion of suspicious package near US embassy in London

The London police carried out this Friday the controlled detonation of a suspicious package identified near the United States Embassy after having cordoned off the surroundings of the diplomatic compound as a precaution.

“We can confirm that the “loud detonation” that recently occurred in the area was a controlled explosion. Investigations remain ongoing and cordons will remain in place for the time being,” the London Metropolitan Police said on social media.

The North American embassy also confirmed on social networks temporary closure of the place for this same reason, as well as the police presence in the London district of Nine Elms, where it is located.

British security forces have asked the population to “Avoid speculating on social media about what happened”without giving further details at the moment.

The police also indicated that “there is a police cordon installed in the area as a precaution while officers investigate a suspicious package.