New York:
The police today briefly evacuated the Times Square here after an abandoned van without license plates was found parked in the heart of the popular US tourist hot spot, a day before the New Year's eve gathering.
No explosive devices were found inside the white van by the bomb squad and the area was reopened to traffic about two hours after the incident began, New York Police Department (NYPD) said.
The bomb squad used a robot-based camera to approach the vehicle but found some old rags and dusty clothings inside.
"It is safe," an NYPD official told PTI adding that there were no corresponding terror threats involving the vehicle. The police removed the barricade and the white van was being towed away.
The van with tinted window was spotted by the police at around 11 am local time on Broadway between 41st and 42nd Streets.
Counter-terrorism and bomb squad crews were called in to investigate the van. The area was blocked off and two high-rise buildings home to NASDAQ and publishing company Conde Nast were partially evacuated but later allowed back.
However, there is still a heavy presence of the police around the scene and at some distance the explosive protection vehicle is standing. NYPD is investigating the matter and probing the unmarked vehicle.
Security officials take extra care around New Year's Eve when the ball-drop celebration draws thousands of people to the heart of Times Square from around the world.
Squads routinely patrol for suspicious vehicles and do sweeps in garages before the annual event.
Its presence in Times Square just before New Year's Eve causes us concern, and that's why we're taking extra precautions, a police official added.
New Yorkers who work in the area said the van had been there at least two days. Police now is looking for the van's owner.
Michelle Bollcin, a photographer heard about the incident and came to see for herself what had happened. "I heard many things on the way like terrorist terrorist," she said. People in New York have good reasons to panic, she added.
Edwin Varges, an energy consultant said, "The NYPD had done a good job but I heard the van has been standing here for two days. People should be more aware."
Times Square is a major tourist destination and such bomb scares occur at frequent interval.