CNN New York Bureau evacuated after bomb threat

American broadcast network, CNN's New York offices and studio were evacuated on Thursday following a bomb threat.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) swiftly responded to the threat and launched an investigation, subsequently issuing an all-clear message after completion of the checks.

CNN Communications official Twitter account shared the details of the bomb threat on Thursday night and wrote, "There has been a bomb threat phone into the CNN offices in New York. Employees have been evacuated and the NYPD is investigating."

The evacuation also caused an interruption in the live broadcast of the channel and caused a frenzy of reactions on social media after, CNN Anchor Don Lemon took to the micro-blogging website and wrote, "We were evacuated in the middle of my live show. Bomb threat. We're running taped programming. NYPD is investigating. Stay tuned".

 

The same was followed by a statement by the New York Police Department (NYPD), issuing an advisory on social media cautioning people to avoid the area.

"Due to a police investigation at Columbus Circle, West 58th Street between 8th and 9th Avenue is closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Please avoid this area. Update to follow," wrote the official Twitter of the Midtown North Precinct.

NYPD however, soon completed the investigation and informed about reopening of the building by tweeting, "Out of the abundance of caution, 25 Columbus Circle was evacuated. Members of NYPD ESU & SRG have completed a sweep of the building & deemed it safe. The building has been reopened. The pedestrian freeze has been lifted & traffic on W 58th St. will be opened shortly."

Hours later the vehicular traffic on West 58th Street was also restored by the police department.

Issuing a detailed statement of the events, CNN president Jeff Zucker appreciated the swift action by the local authorities and the patience and professionalism of all the employees impacted by the same.

"Earlier tonight there was a bomb threat called into the CNN officer in New York. The NYPD responded immediately and evacuated the building. As a result, we ran taped programming for about a half hour and then went live from the street outside while the investigation continued. The NYPD has now given us the all clear, and employees have been permitted to return to the building."

This is the second such scare for the US cable news channel's New York office in the last few months.

In October this year, the New York offices of CNN were evacuated after a suspicious device was discovered in the building's mailroom.

The evacuation comes shortly after the Secret Service confirmed that similar devices were sent to former United States President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.