Washington DC: Active bomb threat near US Capitol

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Police are investigating an “active bomb threat” near the Congress building in Washington DC.

US Capitol Police said they were negotiating with the driver of a suspicious vehicle near the Library of Congress, across the street from the Capitol building and Supreme Court, reports BBC.

The motives of the driver remain unknown, they said.

Congress is on recess, but some staff are working in the Capitol. Several office buildings have been evacuated.

Videos purporting to be the man livestreaming from the vehicle have been shared on social media.

The man parked the vehicle on a pavement and told an officer who approached him that he had a bomb, while holding what appeared to be a detonator, Capitol Police Chief J Thomas Manger told a news conference.

“My negotiators are hard at work trying to have a peaceful resolution to this incident,” he said.

Some members of staff on Capitol Hill were originally told to remain in place and shelter in offices.