Bomb threat prompts evacuation of Ministry of Health building in Victoria

A downtown government building was briefly evacuated Thursday morning after VicPD received reports of a bomb threat.

According to police, officers were called to the 1500 block of Blanshard Street on March 26th after receiving information about a potential threat involving the Ministry of Health building on Blanshard Street.

Police attended the scene and, in consultation with property management, evacuated the building as a precaution.

Specialized units, including the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (GVERT), explosive technicians and a K9 explosive detection dog, were deployed to assist with the investigation.

Police said there was no imminent risk to the public, as a suspect had already been taken into custody.

Employees were allowed to return to the building shortly after noon, and the scene was cleared.

VicPD says the investigation remains ongoing.