NEW YORK – Authorities evacuated Liberty Island as a precaution after a 911 caller claimed they were going to blow up the Statue of Liberty, according to the National Park Service, which oversees the island.
Rangers evacuated the statue so that the U.S. Park Police’s canine units could sweep the statue.
“The canine units alerted on an area of interest near the lockers at the base of the Statue,” according to an email from Mindi Rambo, a spokesperson for the National Park Service.
“At this point, NPS and USPP determined it was in best to evacuate the island. The island has been cleared of all visitors and personnel.”
No one was hurt. Photos from the scene showed a large group of people waiting to board a ferry around midday.
“The last of us are now getting on a boat,” reads the caption of a photo submitted by Rick Borgmeyer.
NYPD boats also responded to the island. The National Park Service said that the NYPD’s bomb squad came to help the Park Police in the investigation.
The National Park Service administers Liberty Island, which, along with nearby Ellis Island, is a national monument.
Statue Cruises runs ferries to and from the islands. The company said it was postponing all service until police give the all-clear, the AP reported.