Melbourne Art Precinct Thrown into Chaos by Suspicious Package
A major security scare brought Melbourne's prestigious arts precinct to a standstill on Saturday evening after a suspicious red backpack was discovered abandoned near the entrance of the National Gallery of Victoria. The incident triggered a significant emergency response, leading to the evacuation of the gallery and the complete closure of a key city artery.
Emergency Services Swing into Action
Emergency services were called to the NGV in Southbank at approximately 5pm on Saturday after alert members of the public spotted the unaccompanied bag on the footpath. Police, treating the item as potentially dangerous, immediately established a perimeter. The specialised bomb squad was also dispatched to the scene to conduct a thorough investigation of the bag's contents.
As a precautionary measure, authorities made the decision to block St Kilda Road to all city-bound traffic. Tram services in both directions were also suspended, causing significant disruption for evening commuters and visitors. Fire Rescue Victoria crews were positioned on standby, ready to assist if the situation escalated.
Traffic Chaos and Heightened Security
The security threat prompted a particularly cautious response from police, coming just months after the National Gallery of Victoria was previously locked down due to pro-Palestinian protesters. The road closure remained in effect for over an hour as bomb squad specialists worked meticulously to determine the nature of the threat.
Commuters were strongly advised to avoid the area entirely and seek alternative routes while the high-stakes investigation continued. The prolonged closure created significant traffic delays throughout the Southbank and CBD areas on a busy Saturday night.
Fortunately, the situation was resolved without incident. The area was deemed safe and reopened shortly after 6.40pm, allowing regular traffic and tram services to resume their normal operations. The contents of the backpack were not disclosed by authorities.
