What We Know About the Police Evacuation of the Sydney Opera House

Sydney police shut down the Opera House Thursday afternoon, evacuating both employees and tourists from the building. The 1:20 PM ferry from Circular Quay to Manly was canceled as police boats circled Sydney Harbour. Some workers in the Sydney CBD were told to avoid unnecessary travel in and out of the city.

The emergency has now been declared over but the Opera House steps remain closed. All ferries have returned to normal services.

At the time of publication, the reason behind the operation was unknown. Locals on social media are speculating that a hoax may have triggered the response, or it may have had something to do with a large storm system rolling over Sydney.

Fairfax reported that police responded to someone threatening to 'bomb' a Sydney ferry. The NSW Police are yet to offer any explanation, other than saying it was a "precautionary measure."

VICE understands the NSW Police acted on a tip from social media, sweeping both the Opera House and searching the nearby Manly wharf. Nine News reported that the two police operations were linked.

"A security threat has been received by NSW Police which they advise may involve the Opera House," explained an internal Sydney Opera House email, posted by an employee on Reddit.

"It's a search for an object," a police spokesperson told the Daily Telegraph. "There was a threat and we have to take it seriously."

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