Australia: Police investigating possible bomb in abandoned car near Cranbourne Shopping Centre, Melbourne, the afternoon of Dec. 24

Event

Police are investigating a possible bomb in a car along Cranbourne Drive near Cranbourne Shopping Centre in Melbourne, Victoria, the afternoon of Dec. 24. Officers were initially conducting a welfare check on the driver but found the vehicle abandoned with a gun and possible bomb inside. Police bomb squad are at the scene, and authorities have evacuated several nearby homes on Cranbourne Drive as a precaution.

Heightened security, as well as localized business and transport disruptions, are likely in the coming hours as investigations continue.

Advice

Avoid the area until authorities give the all-clear. Allow additional time to reach destinations near the affected location.