Harvard University evacuates campus buildings after multiple explosives alerts

Harvard University ordered the evacuation of four buildings after false warnings of explosives on campus.

13:25 17 December 2013

Following false warnings of explosives on campus, authorities with Cambridge Police department together with school officers searched Harvard University campus buildings and found two suspicious packages. One was considered harmless. Two hours after the initial alarm, the police gave the all-clear signal.

The university has released a statement that reads: "Out of an abundance of caution, the buildings have been evacuated while the report is investigated.”

"Harvard's focus is on the safety of our students, faculty and staff. We will update the media when we have more information."

The statement added that it ordered students and staff out of the four buildings across the campus – the Science Centre, Sever, Thayer, and Emerson buildings. Final exams were canceled due to the incident but Mr Harris, addressing the students, said: "We're going to have to figure out ways to make sure each of you is properly assessed."

The incident took place four months after Harvard’s great rival Yale was locked down after an anonymous caller said that his roommate was planning to shoot people on the campus.

Harvard is the America’s oldest university, established in 1636. Many American presidents have studied there including John F. Kennedy, George W. Bush and Barack Obama.