Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell area evacuated

WASHINGTON - The area near the famous tourist attraction of Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was evacuated after a suspicious item was found nearby.

Houses and streets around the building that houses the Liberty Bell were evacuated Thursday, after a blue-coloured balloon-like object with a “white powdery substance” over it was found, Xinhua reported.

Police evacuated the area after the National Park Service Rangers gave an emergency call.

It was, however, not clear whether the item was found inside or outside the Liberty Bell Centre, Service Rangers’ spokeswoman Jane Cowley was quoted as saying.

There were no immediate reports of any injury.