Alert closes New York bus station
New York's biggest bus terminal has been closed after a suspicious package was found by police.
The alert comes on the day America stands on high alert after the FBI issued a warning of a possible terrorist attack.
The Port Authority Bus Terminal, which receives hundreds of thousands of commuters daily, was closed to all traffic during the morning rush hour at 8.15 am local time (1.15pm) and a section was evacuated, a spokesman said.
"The south wing of the terminal has been evacuated because we are investigating a suspicious package," spokesman Steve Coleman said.
He said no further details were available. A Port Authority police officer on the scene said officers were examining a canvas bag.
Commuter buses from the surrounding New York and New Jersey suburbs were stopped outside the terminal, commuters said, creating heavy traffic congestion.
New York has been on high alert since the September 11 hijacked plane attacks that destroyed the World Trade Center. The new alert issued by the FBI has heightened fears and police have been extra vigilant.
The FBI, citing information it said was gleaned from al Qaeda prisoners held by US forces, warned citizens yesterday that the United States or US interests in Yemen could be the target of a terror attack today.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, speaking before the bus terminal evacuation, urged the city's 8 million people to go about their business as normal following the alert.
"If something looks out of the ordinary, exercise common sense, don't go near it and call the authorities," Mr Bloomberg said.
US on alert for terror attack
