UPDATE 14/01/16 3.40PM: Police have confirmed that the operations at both the Sydney Opera House and Manly Wharf have now concluded. Buzzfeed reporter Mark Di Stefano has tweeted from the scene that the iconic landmark has now re-opened…
https://twitter.com/MarkDiStef/status/687494764246073344
…while NSW police have released the following statement:
Following information on social media, police conducted an operation in the vicinity of the Opera House and Manly as a precautionary measure. That police operation has now concluded.
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The Sydney Opera House is currently in lockdown with a police operation underway.
Though details are still unclear about what exactly is going on at the iconic Australian landmark, there are reports from news outlets such as SMH and Pedestrian.TV that staff have been evacuated from inside the venue and that some nearby ferry services have been cancelled.
Contrary to those reports, an Opera House staff worker has informed Music Feeds that many employees are still inside the Circular Quay landmark. They’ve reportedly been informed about the police operation but have not been told to evacuate.
While a Department of Transport spokeswoman could only confirm to SMH that the 1.20pm ferry from Manly to Circular Quay had been cancelled due to the operation, and Nine reports all other services are still operating as normal.
The Opera House forecourt was cleared at around 2pm this afternoon, with police erecting metal barriers.
AAP reports that all tours of the venue have been cancelled for the day.
NSW police have told the Daily Mail that the situation is the result of a “precautionary search”, with a second search also currently underway near the wharf at Manly on Sydney’s northern beaches.
Buzzfeed reporter Alex Lee has been tweeting from the scene and says that all shows scheduled at the concert venue for today have been cancelled, which – if true – would include Adam Hill’s stand up show, Sydney Festival play Cut the Sky and cabaret event Blanc de Blanc.
More details to come.
People are being cleared from the Opera House as a search takes place. #9News https://t.co/uYyC4IvziY
— 9News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) January 14, 2016
Opera House in lockdown, today's shows have been cancelled. pic.twitter.com/MAMKObDNVn
— Alex Lee (@alex_c_lee) January 14, 2016
Opera Bar staff sitting around outside, they were told to evacuate ten mins ago, say they haven't been told anything pic.twitter.com/pCP2tp0C8i
— Alex Lee (@alex_c_lee) January 14, 2016
Opera House construction workers just leaving now, they weren't told anything besides from rumours #operahouse pic.twitter.com/7cPMyLmVvJ
— Alex Lee (@alex_c_lee) January 14, 2016
One of the ferry terminals has been blocked off, staff said all routes moved to the next wharf #operahouse pic.twitter.com/PNYpnAayBq
— Alex Lee (@alex_c_lee) January 14, 2016
People hanging around but atmosphere is pretty relaxed. Lots of tourist taking pics #operahouse pic.twitter.com/YrgS3lLV3O
— Alex Lee (@alex_c_lee) January 14, 2016
Imagine the commentary on this bus just got pretty awkward #operahouse pic.twitter.com/TXjYp3A5F8
— Alex Lee (@alex_c_lee) January 14, 2016
https://twitter.com/Johnny_Lieu/status/687483152990744576
https://twitter.com/Johnny_Lieu/status/687481993211191296
A police op is currently underway in the #Sydney CBD & #Manly. As the operation is ongoing, no further info is available at this stage.
— NSW Police Force (@nswpolice) January 14, 2016
https://twitter.com/ChrisDutts/status/687477175058968577
#operahouse is this a drill? Because I think NSWPD just managed to scare a shit load of people if it is.
— Melon Musk (@alvin_andme) January 14, 2016
