Times Square incident update

Times Square in New York was evacuated as police investigated reports of a suspicious package.

Times Square evacuated as bomb squad rushes to scene after suspicious package

Times Square in Manhattan was evacuated on weekday morning as police investigated reports of a suspicious package. A bomb squad was dispatched to the area between West 43rd Street and 7th Avenue, and authorities closed off streets to vehicles and pedestrians.

Public officials urged people to avoid the area and expect delays while the cordon remained in place. The NYPD said the area would reopen once the investigation allowed it. At around noon, authorities began permitting re-entry and the cordon was lifted after about 90 minutes. The NYPD also advised, "Due to an active police investigation, avoid the area of West 43rd Street and 7th Avenue in Manhattan within the confines of @NYPDMTS. Expect emergency vehicles and delays in the surrounding area."

This incident tests how a city handles a sudden disruption in a major hub. It shows the balance between rapid security actions and maintaining normal life in a place that depends on busy corridors for commerce and tourism.

In the days ahead, the focus will be on how authorities communicate situations to the public and how the city reviews procedures for crowd control and transit planning to minimize future disruption.

Highlights

Security remains a concern as the city resumes its routine.