Harvard University on Monday ordered the evacuation of four buildings after receiving unconfirmed reports of explosives on campus.
The university’s Twitter account said that the Harvard University Police Department and Cambridge Police Department were on scene investigating the reports.
Alert: Unconfirmed reports of explosives at four sites on campus: Science Center, Thayer, Sever, and Emerson. Evacuate those buildings now.
— Harvard University (@Harvard) December 16, 2013
Alert: HUPD and CPD are on the scene and investigating. Stand by for more info. View emergency page for updates http://t.co/VAZ1odRYB9
— Harvard University (@Harvard) December 16, 2013
The White House released a statement encouraging the public to follow local officials’ directions, according to MSNBC’s Thomas Roberts.
“The White House will remain in touch with our federal, state and local partners and the President will continue to receive briefings as needed,” the statement read, according to MSNBC. “In the last hour it was reported that the ATF [Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives] was on scene as well as the Massachusetts State Police.”
As of 10:40 a.m. ET, an emergency alert on Harvard’s website said “HUPD has no reason to believe there is a threat to any other site on campus.” The investigation was still ongoing.
Correction: Investigation into the Harvard bomb threat is still ongoing. All-clear has not been given.
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) December 16, 2013
This post has been updated.
Late Update: As of 2:44 p.m. ET, the university said all four buildings were cleared.
