By day it was completely off limits, with metal fences manned by police surrounding the Sydney Opera House, keeping out locals and tourists.
But a few hours later, restaurants and bars reopened, with workers saying it was ‘business as usual’.
So what happened at around 1.00 yesterday to completely shut down operations at one of Sydney’s most iconic tourist sites?
In case you missed it, a little after lunch time on Thursday tourists were evacuated from the Opera House to allow a police inspection of the area.
A police op is currently underway in the #Sydney CBD & #Manly. As the operation is ongoing, no further info is available at this stage.
— NSW Police (@nswpolice) January 14, 2016
A ferry service between Manly and Circular Quay was also cancelled, as a second search operation took place at Manly wharf.
At the time, police wouldn’t confirmed the reason behind the evacuation, however, they’ve now confirmed action was taken after receiving threatening posts on social media.
“Following information on social media, police conducted an operation in the vicinity of the Opera House and Manly as a precautionary measure.”
NSW Police
The threat is believed to have indicated that there was an object inside the Opera House and at Manly Wharf, The Daily Mail.
The police search was completed by about 3.30pm.
Police operation concluded – #Sydney CBD and #Manly https://t.co/paLS4tgIYY
— NSW Police (@nswpolice) January 14, 2016
The police search of the Opera House came less than a day after a suicide attack in Istanbul, Turkey killed 10 tourists and injured 15 others.
