Suspicious package found in Times Square not dangerous

NEW YORK - A suspicious package that forced evacuation of the Times Square Friday, has been found “not dangerous” and the area has been reopened for traffic.

“The suspicious package is not dangerous”, a New York City police spokesman was quoted as saying Friday by Xinhua.

Police said the package that forced evacuation of the Times Square was examined by the bomb squad, which found it to be just a lunch cooler with beverages inside.

This was the second time in less than a week the usually-crowded New York City’s entertainment centre was evacuated because of a suspicious package. The previous evacuation turned out to be for a failed car bomb last Saturday.

The cooler was spotted by New Yorkers at about 1 p.m. (local time) Friday outside the Marriott Hotel at West 45th Street on Broadway. The bomb squad was called to the scene, which examined the cooler and found it was safe, the spokesman said.

Last Saturday, a SUV loaded with gasoline, fireworks and propane tanks failed to explode in the same area. Some of the fireworks were, however, set off, causing smoke, officials said.

A 30-year-old American citizen of Pakistan origin, Faisal Shahzad, was arrested two days later on suspicion of being involved in the attempt, they said.