Students and staff members have been allowed to return to Nanaimo District Secondary School as police finished investigating a bomb threat.
According to a press release, Nanaimo RCMP directed students and staff to the parking lot of the Nanaimo Ice Centre. Police finished their search of the school and allowed the building to reopen for classes shortly before noon.
"At about 8 o'clock this morning, we were advised of a bomb threat that was directed at the school," said Const. Gary O'Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman. "Precautionary measures were taken. Students and staff were evacuated and directed to the Nanaimo Ice Centre."
Police also blocked the Third Street Connector, which runs between the high school, Nanaimo Aquatic Centre and Nanaimo Ice Centre. The closure backed up traffic bound for downtown and Vancouver Island University when it was diverted to Jingle Pot Road. Police also sealed off the area around the school and the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre.
"As a precautionary we don't want people traversing through the area so we do close off the area and [it] will be shut off until such time we deem it safe," he said.
The Nanaimo Aquatic Centre, which is connected to the high school, was also evacuated as police search dogs scanned the buildings for possible bombs.
"We take all threats very serious regardless of the nature and we will investigate into what caused it and hopefully the public will assist us with this via tips to our office or crime stoppers," O'Brien said.
Anyone with information about the bomb threat, please call the Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, text 274637, keyword Nanaimo or submit a tip online at www.nanaimocrimestoppers.com.
An NDSS student speaks about the bomb threat. #Nanaimo pic.twitter.com/Yik6AD3V1h
— Nicholas M Pescod (@npescod) April 14, 2016
#Nanaimo #Bombthreat Students evacced to Nan Aquatic Ctr. pic.twitter.com/Vkcr6odKdm
— Chris Bush (@ChrisBushphotog) April 14, 2016