Sydney Opera House: Police operation underway, public evacuated, ferries cancelled

During today’s lockdown the Manly ferry service was suspended and access to the terminal was cut off.

Police are reportedly clearing people from the Opera House and some ferry services have been cancelled.

“It’s a search for an object”.

Similar precautions were taken across the harbour at the suburb of Manly on Sydney’s northern beaches, which has a ferry linking it to Circular Quay where the Opera House is located. Performances and tours at the Opera House were postponed until further notice.

A NSW Police spokeswoman earlier confirmed an operation was underway at the Opera House this afternoon.

Meanwhile an Opera House staff member has posted what appears to be an internal email to news-sharing site Reddit from the “Head of Security, Emergency Planning & Response”. Police are on site now assessing the situation.

The bars below the Opera House were also closed and tourists were gathering around Circular Quay. Employees who were about to end their shift were advised to remain in the building during the operation.

Some reports also suggested that the operations could be the result of a hoax.

People have been cleared from the area. More information will be added as it comes to hand.