Charleston terminal reopens after suspected dirty bomb threat is lifted

A bomb threat at a top port in South Carolina is over.

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 was evacuated while law enforcement units from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies investigated the threat.

Coast Guard officials said the FBI was investigating a report of a dirty bomb aboard the vessel.

However, after seven hours authorities have said the threat is over. Four containers were identified as a risk, were scanned and inspected, and now the US Coast Guard has tweeted: “Unified Command determines no existing threat to the port. Terminal will reopen & safety zone has been lifted.”

The original reporting source of the threat in port of Charleston has been detained by authorities for further questioning.

#update there were 4 containers where threat was posed at terminal in Charleston, SC. These have been scanned and cleared by authorities.

— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) June 15, 2017

#update Unified Command determines no existing threat to the port. Terminal will reopen & safety zone has been lifted.

— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) June 15, 2017

#update the original reporting source of the threat in port of Charleston has been detained by authorities for further questioning.

— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) June 15, 2017