Diplomatic headquarters in Canberra also targeted as firefighters remove bags labelled ‘Danger asbestos’

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

The United States, Pakistani, Swiss, Indian, South Korean and New Zealand consulates in Melbourne are among a number of foreign diplomatic headquarters across the city and in Canberra targeted with suspicious packages.

The deliveries on Wednesday sparked an emergency “hazardous material” response and, in some cases, evacuation.

“We handled the package according to our standard procedures and in close co-ordination with local authorities ... who are investigating the incident,” a US spokesman said.

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Manuela Erb, the honorary consul of the consulate of Switzerland at Ashwood, said they also received a suspicious package.

“It was in an envelope,” she said.

Specialist firefighters were seen carrying large bags emblazoned with “Danger asbestos” as they left the Indian and South Korean consulates on St Kilda road.

Both Pakistan and New Zealand’s offices received envelopes containing small plastic bags with what appeared to be concrete and asbestos inside, ABC news reports. Emergency services workers also attended the Greek, French, Italian, Spanish and Turkey consulates in Melbourne.

Annelise Nielsen (@annelisenews) Police have just confirmed, in what may be coincidence of the century, that hazmat training is being conducted at the US Embassy this afternoon. Has been booked in for weeks @SkyNewsAust pic.twitter.com/TnEOiQJCBD

Victoria police issued a statement saying it was aware of “a number of consulate offices in Melbourne today receiving suspicious packages”.

“At this time we believe the matter is targeted and not impacting the general community,” the statement said.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Emergency Management Victoria website also showed firefighters were responding to reports of hazardous materials at the British consulate general in Collins Street. Hazardous material warnings were also shown near the Indonesian, Thai, Egyptian and Japanese consulates in Melbourne.

The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said staff at its William Street consulate were evacuated.

“The New Zealand consulate general in Melbourne received a suspicious parcel this afternoon,” a spokeswoman said. “Staff were evacuated from the consulate as a precautionary measure.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest A firefighter carrries a hazardous material bag into the South Korean consulate in Melbourne. Photograph: James Ross/EPA

Two fire trucks, a hazardous materials vehicle and police cars attended the consulate general of India where staff were also cleared from the building. They were allowed to re-enter by 3pm when the area was deemed safe.

Ambulance Victoria confirmed a number of patients were examined at multiple consulates.

“No patients have required treatment or transport to hospital,” it said in a statement.

Authorities did not confirm the specific locations or intended targets of any of the packages, but the Australian federal police confirmed it was investigating.

“The packages are being examined by attending emergency services,” they said in a statement. “The circumstances surrounding these incidents are being investigated.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Emergency service personel exit the building where the South Korean consulate is located in Melbourne. Photograph: James Ross/EPA

It is not known which embassies in Canberra have been affected, although it is understood a hazmat team was performing an unrelated training activity at the US embassy.

The alerts come after Sydney’s Argentinian consulate was partially evacuated on Monday following reports of a suspicious substance.

The powder, similarly contained in clear plastic bags within an envelope, was deemed not dangerous.

Guardian Australia has sought comment from the AFP.