On Wednesday (9th January) emergency services in Australia started to act on numerous reports of suspicious packets being delivered to five international embassies and consulates in Melbourne and Canberra. As per reports the parcels were sent to US and British missions. In fact, the American, the British, Croatian, New Zealand, and Swiss consulates affirmed the report of receiving suspicious packages.

The police department has started to investigate the matter and stated that they are investigating the parcels, without offering many details.

The Swiss consulate in the southern city, Australia’s second largest, stated that a suspicious package was delivered to them around 1.30 p.m. local time Wednesday (9.30 p.m. Tuesday ET), and the police department as well as the fire services are currently probing the matter.

A spokesperson from the British High Commission also asserted that a suspicious package was delivered to their Melbourne consular office and they were collaborating with Australian Federal Police and the local authorities regarding the incidence.

A US consulate spokesman in Melbourne briefed media that after getting the suspicious package, their staff observed the routine procedures and notified the local authorities. The Melbourne Fire Brigade and the Australian Federal Police are presently probing the matter. The spokesman even stated that they have full faith in Australian authorities.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) affirmed that police as well as emergency services had acted swiftly on the issue of doubtful packages being delivered to embassies and consulates in both Melbourne and Canberra. However, it didn’t offer any other details such as the particular locations or what the packages include.

Victoria Police released a consecutive statement which stated that they believe the matter is aimed and won’t be jolting the general community.

Melbourne is the home to many diplomatic missions. The missions which got affected include Germany, Spain, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Korea, Italy and Greece. Images across the social media platforms apparently showed emergency service providers adorning protective clothes entered different consulates in Melbourne.

Some of the incidents listed are labeled as being “under control,” whereas others are listed as emergency services under “responding.”