Sydney's Circular Quay shut down over scare
Police have confirmed an unattended package that caused the shutdown of Sydney's popular Circular Quay is not suspicious.
A specialist police operation was launched around 1.30pm after the object was discovered on a ferry from Balmain docked at Wharf 5.
An exclusion zone, which has now been lifted, was established around one of Sydney's most popular tourist destinations.
Unattended package on ferry at #CircularQuay deemed not suspicious. Perimeter to be lifted soon.
— NSW Police (@nswpolice) January 22, 2015
Dozens of specialist police were called in.
Trains and buses were not stopping at Circular Quay, and commuters have been advised to allow additional travel time.
The Transport Management Centre said ferry tickets can be used on Sydney Trains and Sydney Buses services instead.
Security has been beefed up around the city's major landmarks after the terror alert was raised to high last year.
A police operation is underway at #CircularQuay. Abt 1.30pm emergency services were called after a sus object was discovered on a ferry.
— NSW Police (@nswpolice) January 22, 2015
A Danish couple told the media they were near Wharf 2 when the area was evacuated.
"Police just came and told us to leave, just said just go just go," John Musse told Fairfax.
#circularquay pic.twitter.com/goHyumCrZN
— Aaron Priest (@priestlive) January 22, 2015
In a statement NSW Police said they would like to thank commuters and pedestrians for their patience.
