Arlington National Cemetery is evacuated after receiving a bomb threat
- Families, visitors and employees were evacuated as officials investigated threat
- Personnel from nearby joint military base Myer–Henderson Hall were at scene
- As of 11.30am (ET) cemetery still closed to public but open for military funerals
- Will remain closed to all but families and funeral attendees for all of Wednesday
Arlington National Cemetery was evacuated on Wednesday morning as emergency services responded to a bomb threat at the site.
Police and emergency responders from nearby joint military base Myer–Henderson Hall are now at the scene.
At 11.30am (ET), the cemetery was still closed to the general public but open for funeral services and military families. It will remain shut for the rest of the day.
Arlington National Cemetery is controlled by the United States Department of the Army, and has been used to house America's war dead since the Civil War. File photo
'Officials and @JBMHH emergency services are currently responding to a #BombThreat to the cemetery,' the custodians of the site tweeted.
'All families, visitors and employees have been evacuated safely from all public buildings and work areas while the threat is being investigated.
'We will update the public as soon as we have additional information,' officials said.
They then added: 'As of 11.30am, the cemetery is temporarily closed to the general public but is open for conducting funeral services.'
The cemetery has been closed to the general public today as officials investigate the bomb threat. File photo
The cemetery, in Virginia, is controlled by the United States Department of the Army, and has been used to house America's war dead since the Civil War.
'We take our responsibility seriously to ensure a safe and secure environment to our family members, guests, visitors and employees, and thank all our internal and external partners for their support and cooperation,' said Kate Kelley, cemetery superintendent.
'I would especially like to thank our family members for their patience during this time and our employees for continuing to support the funeral services today.'
'We look forward to continuing to serve veterans and families at Arlington National Cemetery,' said Karen Durham-Aguilera, executive director of Army National Military Cemeteries.
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