A suspicious suitcase found near 42nd Street and Third Avenue, close to the UN, prompted an NYPD bomb squad response and road closures.
A suspicious suitcase found on a Manhattan sidewalk Tuesday afternoon prompted a bomb squad response and the temporary evacuation of the Chrysler Building as New York City remained under heightened security for the United Nations General Assembly.
The suitcase was discovered shortly before 3 p.m. near East 43rd Street and Third Avenue, close to the Chrysler Building and about two avenues from the United Nations headquarters.
An NYPD canine unit detected something inside the suitcase, prompting officers from the department’s Bomb Squad and Emergency Services Unit to respond. Other federal agencies were also reportedly in the area as security was heightened for UN General Assembly events.
The NYPD shut down roads around the scene as officers investigated the package. “Due to a suspicious package, 42nd Street through 44th Street is closed between 2nd Avenue and Lexington Avenue. Please avoid the area,” the department said in an alert posted on X.
Nearby employees and residents were reportedly told to stay away from building windows while authorities examined the suitcase.
Chrysler Building Evacuated As Trump Was In UN Area
The Chrysler Building was temporarily evacuated as a precaution while authorities examined the suitcase, according to Reuters.
The incident occurred while President Donald Trump was in the area for the UN General Assembly. Police said Trump was in a motorcade at the time, and he was later safely escorted out of the United Nations by motorcade.
About 90 minutes after the suitcase was discovered, authorities determined that the package did not pose a threat and cleared the suitcase. Some road closures remained temporarily as crews reopened the area.
No injuries were reported, and officials did not identify an actual threat.
The incident came as New York hosted the high-level week of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, with nearly 130 heads of state and government in the city, according to Reuters.