A busy shopping mall in Sydney's west was evacuated on Wednesday after a live explosive was discovered in the carpark. The incident sparked chaos as hundreds of shoppers were forced to flee, with police and specialist teams, including the NSW Police Dog Squad and Public Order Riot Squad, called to the scene.
Authorities were contacted after a hand grenade was discovered at Auburn Central shopping centre, about 20km west of the city's CBD, at around midday.
Initially, there were fears that the hand grenade was live, but it was later determined to be a replica.
The discovery of the device prompted a full evacuation of the shopping centre, with police closing off surrounding streets. Members of the Public Order Riot Squad were seen attending to the incident in Auburn.
'Defence assessed the unexploded ordnance (UXO) at the scene,' a Defence spokesperson said. 'The UXO was assessed as safe for transport and storage using routine measures.'
The shopping centre was evacuated for several hours while authorities investigated the incident. Police confirmed a police operation was underway in the carpark of a shopping centre on Wales Lane in Auburn.
'Officers attached to Auburn Police Area Command, along with specialist officers are in attendance,' police said in a statement. 'There is an ongoing evacuation of the shopping centre.
'Queen Street, Vales Lane, Auburn Road, Harrow Road and Mary Street are closed, and members of the public are advised to avoid the area. No further information is available at this time.'
The incident sparked chaos as hundreds of people were forced to leave the building. A large group of people wearing high-vis vests were seen gathered outside the entrance of the shopping centre as the police operation unfolded.
As the situation erupted, one man claimed a 'live bomb' had been discovered in the carpark in a post on X. Others said the centre was 'swarming' with officers and alarms were going off.
People were allowed back into the shopping centre several hours later. However, the incident left many shoppers shaken.
Replica Grenade
The discovery of the replica grenade highlights the importance of reporting suspicious items to the authorities. Members of the public who find suspicious items are urged to contact emergency services immediately. Local police will then arrange for military experts to attend and dispose of the items. Further information on UXO and how suspicious items should be dealt with can be found on Defence’s website.
A Shocking Discovery
The discovery of the replica grenade at Auburn Central shopping centre serves as a reminder of the potential dangers that can be encountered in public places. Authorities are taking the incident seriously, and are urging the public to be vigilant.
A Call For Vigilance
This incident underscores the importance of vigilance in public spaces. It is crucial to report any suspicious activity or items to the authorities immediately. The safety of the public is paramount, and everyone has a role to play in maintaining a safe and secure environment.
