North Korean Embassy Evacuated Over Suspicious Item: Reports

The North Korean Embassy in London, located on Gunnersbury Avenue. (Google Street View)

A suspicious package prompted evacuations near the North Korean Embassy in London, according to reports on Monday evening, Sept.25.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that they were called about a “suspicious item” before 8 p.m. local time, The Independent reported.

Police blocked off roads, evacuated homes, and then carried out a controlled demolition at 9:30 p.m.

The package was found to be non-threatening.

Ambulances were also called to the scene. It’s unclear if there were any injuries.

The location of the embassy (Google Maps)

The North Korean Embassy is located within a “seven bedroom suburban house once owned by Carry On actor Sid James, The Independent reported.

The home was bought by Pyongyang in 2003 for 1.3 million pounds ($1.75 million).

The Daily Mail, meanwhile, reported that it was a backpack that police blew up.

“Police were called on Monday, Sept.25, to a report of a suspicious item at 7.52 p.m. outside an address in Gunnersbury Ave,” a Metropolitan police representative told the paper.

“Officers attended along with other emergency services. Road closures were put in place and nearby properties were evacuated as a precaution.”

“'A controlled explosion took place at 9.28 p.m. The item was found to be non-suspicious.”