A ‘controlled explosion’ was carried out at Scotland’s busiest bus station this evening after a bomb scare prompted evacuations.
Buchanan Bus Station in Glasgow was put on lockdown at 1.50pm following reports of a ‘potential suspicious item’ half an hour before.
A Royal Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was dispatched and carried out the explosion. The item is no longer being treated as ‘suspicious’.
Students and staff at Glasgow Caledonian University, just a five minute walk from the bus stop, were told thus afternoon to evacuate as a ‘precaution’.
An email to students said: ‘Please take your personal belongings with you. There is no access to Cowcaddens Road.
‘Staff and students must leave via North Hanover Street, Dobbies Loan, or Milton Street.’
Photographs from the scene show dozens of people including bus employees on the corner of Killermont Street and West Nile Street by a police cordon.
The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall opposite the bus station cancelled a show set to feature titans of the Glaswegian football club, Celtic.
‘Due to circumstances beyond our control, this evening’s event has been cancelled,” the venue said.
‘All ticket holders will be contacted in due course. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.’
The bus station and the surrounding area is still closed, operator SPT said.
The public transport company said: ‘Please do not come to the bus station. For info on the impact on specific bus services please check with the relevant bus operator.
‘Expect disruptions. Apologies for the inconvenience.’
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The slip road onto the M8 at Junction 16 was shut for several hours but has since been reopened.
Traffic Scotland added: ‘However, the incident in the city centre is ongoing tonight so do check in with your bus service operator before you travel and plan your journey.’
Police confirmed that three men have been arrested in connection to the incident. Enquiries are ongoing.
The incident is not currently being treated as terror related, according to STV News.
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