'Hard rock' bomb threat halts Swedish trains

A train station in southern Sweden was shut down for most of Monday night when security staff found a suspicious package containing copious coils of cords.



Security staff on duty at the Halmstad train station in southern Sweden sprung into action around 11pm on Monday night after coming across an unusual looking suitcase.

Concerned about the contents of the case, security guards quickly informed the police.

Fearing the worst, police promptly closed the train station down at 11.15pm, reported the Hallandsposten newspaper.

All trains to and from the station were cancelled, and ten police patrols were dispatched to cordon off an area around the station to a distance of over 100 metres.

Meanwhile, the town's Grand Hotel, which is situated across from the station, was evacuated on one side and the hotel bar was closed.

Residents of Halmstad were forced to wait for almost two hours before a bomb squad called in from Gothenburg arrived to examine the package more closely in a hope to diffuse the situation.

After a further two hours, the bomb squad's robot managed to open the package.

But rather than a bomb, the “suspicious” suitcase turned out to contain nothing more dangerous than a collection of electric guitar paraphernalia such as cords and pedals, as well as other equipment for musical instruments.

When the find was reported, the train station was re-opened and business resumed as normal.

The Local/og
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