London police conduct ‘controlled explosion’ after finding suspicious package near U.S. embassy

Police conducted a “controlled explosion” Friday after finding a suspicious package near the U.S. Embassy in London and blocked off the area for further investigation.

The embassy in the British capital, built in 2018 near the Thames River, is considered one of the most modern and secure diplomatic compounds in the world and faced no known further threats, officials said.

"We can confirm that the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers," London's Metropolitan Police said in a statement posted on its official X account. 

“Cordons are in place in the area as a precaution while officers investigate a suspect package,” it added.

The embassy said on X that authorties had closed a road near the building out of "an abundance of caution."