Then followed St.Pölten

Suspicious packages: Amstetten main square secured

Explosives experts and explosives detection dog handlers were busy investigating on Wednesday.(Bild: DOKU-NÖ)

Several suspicious parcels in Amstetten led to a police operation in the Lower Austrian district town on Wednesday afternoon. According to police spokeswoman Manuela Weinkirn, the main square was secured over a large area and a ban on entering the square was imposed by the district administration.

Explosives experts and explosives detection dog handlers were engaged in investigations. The all-clear was given at around 7.45 pm.

According to Weinkirn, the checks were concluded "negatively". The six packages labeled "free for the taking" had been x-rayed and opened. "No dangerous substances" were found. The contents included bottles of water.

Houses were evacuated
The report on Wednesday afternoon had been about suspicious packages that looked like postal items that had been found on the main square in front of various buildings, Weinkirn said on request. In addition to the closure of the main square, the evacuation of neighboring houses was also ordered. The residents were allowed to return in the evening hours.

The police are investigating unknown perpetrators for coercion. A report will be submitted to the St. Pölten public prosecutor's office.

Provincial capital also affected
In the late evening, an alarm was also sounded in St. Pölten: the station was closed and only long-distance trains were allowed to pass through. After an intensive search of the area, the all-clear was given at around 10.30 pm.