In Washington, the Capitol has been temporarily evacuated after an alleged threat from an airplane. The reason for the confusion is an information gap.
An event involving military parachutists at a neighboring baseball stadium has caused much confusion.
(dpa)
The Capitol in the American capital Washington has been temporarily evacuated by the police. It was a precautionary measure and there was no threat, the Capitol police said on Twitter on Wednesday evening (local time). She had previously warned of a possible threat from an airplane in an email, as reported by American media. However, this turned out to be a false alarm.
The background was an event with military parachutists in a neighboring baseball stadium. The warning at the seat of Congress was lifted after about 20 minutes.
The chair of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, made serious allegations against the aviation authority FAA. This “obviously failed” to inform the Capitol police about the planned overflight. This is “outrageous and inexcusable,” Pelosi said. The “apparent negligence” caused unnecessary panic among staff still grappling with the trauma of the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol.
After an inciting speech by the ousted Republican President Donald Trump, his supporters stormed the seat of Congress last year. They wanted to prevent the confirmation of the election victory of the Democrat Joe Biden. The attack killed five people and injured dozens. The attack on the heart of American democracy shook the country. Pelosi announced that Congress will consider who will be held accountable at the aviation authority for the error.
Pelosi thanked the police officers for their “exemplary service”. By ordering the evacuation and checking for a possible threat from an aircraft, officials would have ensured the safety of everyone working there.