The East Block of Parliament Hill in the Canadian capital of Ottawa was placed on lockdown as the Parliamentary Protective Service issued an emergency alert on Saturday.
The alert urged people to “seek shelter in the nearest room, close and lock all doors and hide,” according to the National Post.
Those not in the area were told to “stay away until further notice.”
“Do not travel to locations under lockdown,” the alert added. “Wait for further instructions from first responders.”
At least a dozen vehicles from the Parliamentary Protective Service and Ottawa Police surrounded the East Block, and access to the area was closed, including to pass holders, the Post reported.
The paper also noted that a bomb squad may be part of the law enforcement operation. Police shut down a part of Wellington Street in front of Parliament.
Because of the upcoming federal election in Canada, Parliament is currently dissolved, and there’s little activity in the area.
More follows…