- Eastgate shopping center in Bondi Junction evacuated
- The police are on the scene investigating the cause.
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A major shopping center has been declared safe again after an emergency evacuation earlier in the day saw police rush to the area.
Shoppers were ordered to evacuate the Eastgate shopping center on Spring Street in Bondi Junction but were allowed to return at 11.20am on Monday.
Officers evacuated the center as a precaution around 10:30 a.m. after a suspicious package was reported.
Emergency services were called to the scene and blocked off Spring Street, with reports that a suspicious package had been left outside the Coles checkout exit.
New South Wales Police confirmed that bomb squads who inspected the package determined it was not suspicious before the shopping center resumed normal operations.
Mall workers said security quickly removed them from their stores when the evacuation was declared.
“They evacuated everyone…we asked them what happened and they said there was something suspicious inside with a wire coming out,” said Kishor Bhatt, 23, who works at Tender Gourmet Butchery. he told the Daily Telegraph.
“It was quite terrifying, like the previous incident (at Bondi Junction) was a stabbing and now a bomb (would have been) terrifying.”
Hundreds of shoppers were evacuated from Eastgate Bondi Junction following reports a suspicious package had been left near a Coles supermarket.
Eastgate Bondi Junction thanked shoppers for their patience and understanding before announcing the shopping center had been reopened to the public.
‘We are OPEN! “After a brief evacuation this morning, we are delighted to welcome you back to enjoy your Christmas shopping at Eastgate Bondi Junction,” he wrote on Facebook.
‘We are committed to ensuring the well-being of our community and appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this brief closure.
‘Thank you for your patience and understanding!’