Part of Southend Hospital was evacuated this afternoon following the discovery of an item that looked like a hand grenade.
A spokesperson for the hospital said a ‘suspect package’ was found in the heart and chest clinic within the tower block building but Essex Police confirmed the item resembled a hand grenade.
The hospital urged the public to stay away whilst they dealt with the ‘major incident’.
Multiple police units, police dogs and a bomb disposal squad were sent to the scene and the hospital was put into lock-down after being evacuated.
A precautionary cordon of 200 metres was put in place around the tower block part of the hospital where the ‘suspect package’ was found.
Firefighters were also sent to the hospital to assist and crews were on standby whilst bomb disposal experts dealt with the explosive.
NHS staff are said to have acted professionally and well-organised in evacuating the part of the hospital. Patients, visitors and staff were seen standing outside on the main road, with the main car park closed off by police.
Chloe, who was at the hospital at the time of the evacuation, said: “Everyone got ushered out of the building and spilled out into the car parks. There were lots of old people in the roads with blankets and no where to go.”
Update 18.45: The suspected hand grenade has now been removed and the incident is over. Patients, staff and visitors are being allowed back into the buildings.