Harvard University has ordered a mass evacuation following unconfirmed reports of explosives at four sites on its campus outside Boston.
A notice was posted on the emergency section of the institution's website ordering Science Center, Thayer, Sever, and Emerson to be evacuated, while the university's Twitter account issued alerts.
The institution reiterated there had been no reports of explosions.
A statement on the university's website read:
"The Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) this morning received an unconfirmed report that explosives may have been placed in four buildings on campus: the Science Center, Thayer, Sever and Emerson Halls.
"HUPD and Cambridge Police are on the scene. Out of an abundance of caution, the buildings have been evacuated while the report is investigated.
"Harvard's focus is on the safety of our students, faculty and staff. We will update the media when we have more information."
Police confirmed they were attending the university, tweeting:
Complaints have already been made over the lack of information about evacuation procedures.
Harvard history student Gary Gerbrandt posted on the university's Facebook page: "How is the focus on the safety of students when the emergency announcement doesn't provide any instruction on how to evacuate or what the circumstances are? How can students stay safe when they are given no information by this administration?"
Cars have been prevented from accessing the roads surrounding the university's science centre, according to local journalists.
The university added: "Access to Harvard Yard has been restricted to residents of the Yard with Harvard ID. As of the writing of this message the report remains unconfirmed and the HUPD has no reason to believe there is a threat to any other site on campus."
A notice was posted on the emergency section of the institution's website ordering Science Center, Thayer, Sever, and Emerson to be evacuated, while the university's Twitter account issued alerts.
The institution reiterated there had been no reports of explosions.
Alert: Unconfirmed reports of explosives at four sites on campus: Science Center, Thayer, Sever, and Emerson. Evacuate those buildings now.
— Harvard University (@Harvard) December 16, 2013Alert: HUPD and CPD are on the scene and investigating. Stand by for more info. View emergency page for updates http://t.co/VAZ1odRYB9
— Harvard University (@Harvard) December 16, 2013Alert: Reports of bombs placed on campus are unconfirmed. There have been NO reports of explosions. View for updates: http://t.co/gAWVUFoPtp
— Harvard University (@Harvard) December 16, 2013A statement on the university's website read:
"The Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) this morning received an unconfirmed report that explosives may have been placed in four buildings on campus: the Science Center, Thayer, Sever and Emerson Halls.
"HUPD and Cambridge Police are on the scene. Out of an abundance of caution, the buildings have been evacuated while the report is investigated.
"Harvard's focus is on the safety of our students, faculty and staff. We will update the media when we have more information."
Police confirmed they were attending the university, tweeting:
Troopers from Fire Marshal's Office (Bomb Squad & K9) responding to @Harvard. No details avail. at this time. #harvard
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) December 16, 2013Complaints have already been made over the lack of information about evacuation procedures.
Harvard history student Gary Gerbrandt posted on the university's Facebook page: "How is the focus on the safety of students when the emergency announcement doesn't provide any instruction on how to evacuate or what the circumstances are? How can students stay safe when they are given no information by this administration?"
Cars have been prevented from accessing the roads surrounding the university's science centre, according to local journalists.
Travel around @Harvard's science center blocked by @CambridgePolice amid potential bomb scare. @NECN #harvard pic.twitter.com/ExvqKi6fVr
— Justin Michaels (@JMichaelsNews) December 16, 2013The university added: "Access to Harvard Yard has been restricted to residents of the Yard with Harvard ID. As of the writing of this message the report remains unconfirmed and the HUPD has no reason to believe there is a threat to any other site on campus."