TERRIFIED crowds were rushed out of Times Square over reports of a “suspicious device” on Monday morning.
A bomb squad and emergency services raced to the scene as terrified tourists evacuated the area.
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Police responded to the site after receiving a 911 call about a suspicious device, the New York Police Department told The U.S. Sun.
The device, shaped like a cylinder, was found outside the NYPD station in Times Square at around 10:30 am, cops said.
Cops issued a warning on social media telling people to avoid the scene until it’s cleared.
Pedestrians, bikes, and cars weren’t allowed to cross the blocked-off street.
“Expect emergency vehicles and delays in the surrounding area,” NYPD said.
After cops investigated the area for an hour, Times Square was cleared and opened again.
“The area has reopened to both pedestrian and vehicular traffic,” NYPD said.
‘SUSPICIOUS DEVICE’
Pictures and videos from the Manhattan scene showed crime scene tape blocking off the street.
Footage shared to social media showed the suspicious device was located directly in front of the NYPD station in Times Square.
Images taken from the Syncuity AI office in Midtown showed a member of the bomb squad lying on the sidewalk as they dissected the suspicious package.
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EMPTY STREETS
Times Square is at the intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue between 42nd and 47th Streets.
The wide streets were quiet and totally empty during Monday’s investigation.
The ghost town was an eerie change for the intersection, which is normally packed with Manhattan commuters and tourists on summer mornings.
But instead of the usual bustle of one of the city’s most famous landmarks, cops were seen standing alone as they directed pedestrians away from the scene.
A helicopter was heard flying over the Midtown area as emergency sirens rang throughout the deserted streets.
The blocked off area was near West 43rd Street and 7th Avenue.
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The 42nd Street Times Square Station was also cleared out as a precaution.
The subway station, which serves the N, Q, R, W, 1, 2, 3, A, C, and E lines, is the busiest station in New York City.
Subway services weren’t disrupted by the incident, the MTA said.
People started to filter back into the area just after noon.
