WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — An "unconfirmed" bomb threat was received on Monday, Harvard University announced in a statement on its website.
"As most of you are now aware, we received an unconfirmed bomb threat affecting the Science Center, as well as Sever, Emerson and Thayer Halls on the Cambridge campus," the statement said. "The buildings have been evacuated and law enforcement officials are on scene. Entry to the Yard is restricted."
The closed buildings included Emerson, Thayer and Sever Halls, and the campus' Science Center.
"The four buildings are being searched," the university statement said. "We expect this process will likely take several hours. We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available."
Just before 2:00 PM local time, around two hours following the initial report, Harvard Executive Vice President Katie Lapp posted a letter to the campus community on the university's emergency notifications site.
"As of this writing, nothing to substantiate the emailed threat has been found," Lapp wrote. "Harvard is working with local and federal law enforcement officials to investigate the source of the threat, which has not yet been determined.
"The safety and security of members of the Harvard community is always our top priority. In the wake of recent tragic events in locations ranging from Paris to Beirut and beyond, we understand that this type of threat will cause great anxiety for many across our campuses. We will continue to be vigilant as we carry on Harvard’s mission of expanding and disseminating knowledge."
— Harvard University (@Harvard) November 16, 2015
The threat came as security in US cities has been ramped up following Friday night's attacks in the French capital that left 129 people dead.
The US Department of Homeland Security said there was "no specific credible" information about a potential attack on US soil at this time.
