Social media posts spark scare in Sydney opera

Australia’s iconic Sydney Opera House, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, was cordoned off by the police on Thursday with people cleared from the landmark amid reports of a “security threat”. 

According to media reports, the forecourt of the Opera House was evacuated at around 2 pm (local time) and police erected metal barriers. All tours of the Opera House were also reportedly cancelled for the day and ferries were either delayed or cancelled. Police descended on the Sydney Opera House following information posted on social media.

Crowds were told to leave the area as officers searched the landmark for an undisclosed object, the report said. 

A New South Wales Police spokesman was quoted as saying police were taking precautions after a threat was received about an object inside the Opera House. 

A Sydney Opera House employee posted an internal email to Reddit from the Head of Security, Emergency Planning and Response, which said all performances and tours had been cancelled while employees were allowed to stay inside, the report said. 

A police spokeswoman was quoted as saying, “There’s nothing sinister that has been found at this stage.” There were also reports that surrounding Botanical Gardens area may have been evacuated near the Opera House.