Canberra Package That Triggered Evacuation At Government Building Deemed 'Non-Suspicious'

CanberraWarMemorial_Nov2014 — British Prime Minister David Cameron (2nd L) stands with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott (C) and other dignitaries as they look towards the Australian Parliament building during a visit to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on Nov. 14, 2014. On Dec. 16, reports of a suspicious package led to the evacuation of another government building in the Australian capital. Reuters/David Gray

Update as of 12:15 a.m. EST: A package found at a government building, which triggered an evacuation earlier on Tuesday, in Barton, has been “deemed non-suspicious,” Australian police said in a statement. The areas near the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade building that had been cordoned off earlier have now been opened.

BREAKING: Package found at DFAT deemed non-suspicious. More info to come #DFATevac
— ACT Policing (@ACTPolicing) December 16, 2014

Barely hours after a standoff at a Sydney café led to the deaths of two hostages and a gunman, Australian police said they are investigating a “suspicious package” at a government building in the capital city of Canberra.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Australian Federal Police said that it had received reports of a package in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Barton -- a suburb of Canberra.

Three more fire trucks including Hazmat response on Sydney Avenue pic.twitter.com/ZkoWKAocsB
— James Massola (@jamesmassola) December 16, 2014

The area has been cordoned off and evacuations are underway, police officials said in the statement. Members of the bomb disposal squad are also present at the scene.