Visitors to the Statue of Liberty and Liberty Island were evacuated Friday afternoon because of a security concern over a suspicious package.
NBC 4 reported that law enforcement sources said the evacuation occurred around 1 p.m. after dogs patrolling the park picked up a scent of suspicious baggage in the visitors’ locker area.
In addition to the New York City Police officers, the bomb squad was also called to the scene.
Gothamist noted that while the evacuation was underway and tourists began taking to social media with the news, the U.S. Park Police released a statement confirming the matter.
"United States Park Police and New York Police Department are working to confirm a report of a suspicious package - Liberty Island has been evacuated as a precaution."
There have also been additional reports that Ellis Island was evacuated as well.
Here are some of the images visitors captured of the evacuation as it happened and while the crowd waited to board the ferries.
Images shared via Twitter by Fitch94 and Rick Borgmeyer
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