Charleston terminal evacuated as suspected dirty bomb reported on Maersk ship

At approximately 20.00 hrs on Wednesday authorities were made aware of a potential threat – cited as a possible dirty bomb – in a container aboard the vessel Maersk Memphis in the Port of Charleston.

The Maersk Memphis is currently moored at Charleston’s Wando terminal which has been evacuated while law enforcement units from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies investigate the threat.

A unified command has been established to oversee the coordinated response.

Coast Guard officials say the FBI is investigating a report of a dirty bomb aboard the vessel.

According to emergency officials, no radiation has been found at this time.

A Maersk Line spokesperson confirmed the dirty bomb threat in an email statement to Splash today. The spokesperson added: “The vessel was immediately evacuated and all crew is safe and ashore. We are cooperating fully with the authorities handling the situation.”

#Update A 1 NM safety zone has been established around the vessel while law enforcement authorities investigate the threat.

— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) June 15, 2017

Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies are currently investigating the type of the potential threat.

— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) June 15, 2017

Some 200 workers evacuated at Wando Welch Terminal. Workers say police told them a possible "dirty bomb" on board a docking vessel @ABCNews4 pic.twitter.com/dl5yRITcXR

— Caroline Balchunas (@carolinebTV) June 15, 2017