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Metropolitan Museum Of Art Evacuated Over Suspicious Package On Fifth Avenue
By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 26, 2021
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CS Muncy/Gothamist
By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 26, 2021
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The Metropolitan Museum of Art was evacuated on Monday afternoon because of a suspicious package outside the museum. [Police at the scene said the package posed no threat—see update below.]
Police confirmed that an "unattended bag" was reported around 2 p.m. on Monday at 81st Street and Fifth Avenue, just outside the entrance to the museum. A police spokesperson told Gothamist that the NYPD's emergency service unit and bomb squad were on the scene.
Around 3:45 p.m., the police spokesperson told Gothamist that a "suitcase was left outside The Met with some wires [sticking] out." They confirmed that the museum had been evacuated as a result.
Multiple people confirmed that they had been evacuated out of the museum this afternoon; one person told Gothamist that they had arrived at The Met around 2:05 p.m. when they saw "police officers clear the area as we were approaching" the entrance.
We've reached out to The Met for more information.
All of Fifth Avenue between East 81st Street and East 84th Street was closed to pedestrians and traffic; all buses have been detoured from the area as a result.
Update: Shortly before 4 p.m., Gothamist photographer CS Muncy said the situation had been resolved: "After the bomb squad, FDNY, ATF and the dogs, turns out it was a suitcase full of old clothes."
The NYPD did not officially confirm the contents of the bag, but they have deemed the area to be safe, and they say it has been reopened to traffic and pedestrians.
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Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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