Aussie shopping centre plunges into chaos due to live grenade scare
- Replies 2
In a dramatic turn of events that could have been ripped straight from the pages of a thriller novel, an Aussie shopping centre was thrown into a state of emergency when a suspected dangerous weapon was found in the carpark.
The discovery prompted an immediate evacuation of the bustling mall and a swift response from law enforcement, including specialist teams, as surrounding streets were sealed off to the public.
Officers rushed to the Auburn Central shopping centre in Sydney's west live at around midday on Wednesday, September 11, after a report that a hand grenade was discovered at a carpark.
The incident sent shockwaves through the local community as shoppers were ushered out of the centre and into the safety of the streets—streets that the authorities would soon cordon off.
The New South Wales Police Dog Squad and Public Order Riot Squad were among the specialist units called to the scene, highlighting the severity of the potential threat.
For those of us who remember the days when the biggest concern at the local shopping centre might have been a lost child or a pickpocket, the idea of a live explosive device in such a familiar and family-friendly environment is nothing short of alarming.
Thankfully, in this instance, the grenade turned out to be a replica.
‘Defence assessed the unexploded ordnance (UXO) at the scene,’ a Defence spokesperson reported.
‘The UXO was assessed as safe for transport and storage using routine measures.’
NSW Police previously confirmed that a police operation was in progress in the carpark of a shopping centre on Wales Lane in Auburn.
‘Officers attached to Auburn Police Area Command, along with specialist officers are in attendance,’ the police said in a statement.
‘There is an ongoing evacuation of the shopping centre. Queen Street, Vales Lane, Auburn Road, Harrow Road and Mary Street are closed, and members of the public are advised to avoid the area.’
‘No further information is available at this time,’ the statement continued.
The incident caused chaos, with hundreds of people being evacuated from the building. A large crowd in high-vis vests was seen outside the shopping centre entrance while the police operation was in progress.
During the turmoil, one individual posted on social media claiming that a ‘live bomb’ had been found in the carpark.
Others reported that the centre was ‘swarming’ with officers and alarms were ringing.
After several hours, people were permitted to re-enter the shopping centre.
The recent evacuation of Auburn Central shopping centre underscores ongoing concerns about safety in public spaces.
As authorities respond to such incidents, it highlights the increasing need for enhanced public safety measures.
In a related issue, a recent knife incident involving a teenager has further intensified calls for stricter safety protocols in shopping centres to protect shoppers and ensure a secure environment.
We at the Seniors Discount Club are relieved that the situation was resolved without harm and commend the quick actions of all involved.
Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? How did you react? We encourage you to share your thoughts and any experiences you may have had with emergency evacuations in the comments below.
The discovery prompted an immediate evacuation of the bustling mall and a swift response from law enforcement, including specialist teams, as surrounding streets were sealed off to the public.
Officers rushed to the Auburn Central shopping centre in Sydney's west live at around midday on Wednesday, September 11, after a report that a hand grenade was discovered at a carpark.
The incident sent shockwaves through the local community as shoppers were ushered out of the centre and into the safety of the streets—streets that the authorities would soon cordon off.
The New South Wales Police Dog Squad and Public Order Riot Squad were among the specialist units called to the scene, highlighting the severity of the potential threat.
Auburn Central shopping centre in Sydney's west was evacuated after a suspected hand grenade was discovered in the carpark. Credit: Facebook / 7NEWS Sydney
For those of us who remember the days when the biggest concern at the local shopping centre might have been a lost child or a pickpocket, the idea of a live explosive device in such a familiar and family-friendly environment is nothing short of alarming.
Thankfully, in this instance, the grenade turned out to be a replica.
‘Defence assessed the unexploded ordnance (UXO) at the scene,’ a Defence spokesperson reported.
‘The UXO was assessed as safe for transport and storage using routine measures.’
NSW Police previously confirmed that a police operation was in progress in the carpark of a shopping centre on Wales Lane in Auburn.
‘Officers attached to Auburn Police Area Command, along with specialist officers are in attendance,’ the police said in a statement.
‘There is an ongoing evacuation of the shopping centre. Queen Street, Vales Lane, Auburn Road, Harrow Road and Mary Street are closed, and members of the public are advised to avoid the area.’
‘No further information is available at this time,’ the statement continued.
The incident caused chaos, with hundreds of people being evacuated from the building. A large crowd in high-vis vests was seen outside the shopping centre entrance while the police operation was in progress.
During the turmoil, one individual posted on social media claiming that a ‘live bomb’ had been found in the carpark.
Others reported that the centre was ‘swarming’ with officers and alarms were ringing.
After several hours, people were permitted to re-enter the shopping centre.
The recent evacuation of Auburn Central shopping centre underscores ongoing concerns about safety in public spaces.
As authorities respond to such incidents, it highlights the increasing need for enhanced public safety measures.
In a related issue, a recent knife incident involving a teenager has further intensified calls for stricter safety protocols in shopping centres to protect shoppers and ensure a secure environment.
Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? How did you react? We encourage you to share your thoughts and any experiences you may have had with emergency evacuations in the comments below.
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