Delta Hotel evacuated, Winnipeg police bomb squad investigate

Police officers evacuated the Delta Hotel in downtown Winnipeg Thursday afternoon and blocked off several streets in the area until about 9:30 p.m.

"A number of streets are closed to traffic. We're asking motorists as well as pedestrians just to avoid the area right now. The area of St. Mary, Hargrave, as well as Carleton, York basically the area surrounding the Delta Hotel specifically," said Const. Jason Michalyshen.

Michalyshen said officers were called to the hotel around 4 p.m. after reports of a suspicious package in an entranceway.

"My understanding, security within Delta first noticed the package," he said.

The hotel was evacuated, and the people who were displaced were moved to the Convention Centre, Michalyshen said.

"If there is anyone trying to locate friends, family who were staying at the Delta Hotel, they certainly can make contact with the hotel, they'll point them in the right direction or they can certainly head over to the Convention Centre."

Michalyshen said the bomb unit was leading the investigation.

"We appreciate everyone's patience, we know this is around rush hour time," he said, adding the public's safety was their primary concern.

Around 7 p.m., the bomb unit's robot was sent into the hotel. By 9:30 p.m., officers reopened the area to traffic and said the area was deemed safe.