US — Bomb threat at Harvard: Memorial Hall evacuated, nearby services suspended

A bomb threat at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, triggered a police operation today and the temporary closure of part of the campus, as the Boston Globe reports.

The threat concerned Memorial Hall, one of Harvard’s landmark buildings, which also houses Sanders Theatre, one of the university’s main lecture halls.

The university issued an alert at around 08:45, asking students and staff near the building to shelter in place and follow the authorities’ instructions.

After the alert, Memorial Hall was evacuated and police set up a security perimeter around the building.

Harvard University Police and Cambridge Police began sweeping the building to check for any explosive device.

At around 09:20–09:25, the shelter-in-place order for people near the area was lifted.

However, authorities asked students and staff to continue avoiding Memorial Hall and the area around the plaza in front of the Science Center and the Zimmer building while police checks continued.

Because of the situation, Harvard’s shuttle bus service near the building was temporarily suspended.

Some classes were also interrupted or moved online.

Several students in dorms and facilities near Memorial Hall were evacuated.

The university later announced that Memorial Hall would remain closed until further notice.

The Memorial Church, located inside Harvard Yard, was also temporarily closed for security reasons.

As of the latest reports, no bomb or explosive device has been found.

Authorities have not announced any arrests and have given no details on who made the threat or whether it was considered credible.

Cambridge Police confirmed they are assisting Harvard University Police in sweeping Memorial Hall, while the investigation is led by Harvard authorities.