Canada's Parliament building has been placed under lockdown as police respond to a man who has barricaded himself in the East Block.
The East Block, which houses senators and their staff, has been evacuated amid a large police presence at Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
Authorities have closed roads in the area and warned the public to stay away from the scene of the ongoing incident.
The alarm was raised just before 3pm local time (8pm GMT).
The Parliamentary Protective Service (PPS) released an urgent alert announcing a "lockdown" at 111 Wellington Street, Canada's House of Commons.
People in the building and immediate area were instructed to "seek shelter in the nearest room" and "lock all doors and hide".
The PPS statement read: "A LOCKDOWN has been declared at: 111 Wellington - East Block. Seek shelter in the nearest room. Close and lock all doors and hide."
It continued: "If you are not in the immediate area, stay away until further notice. Do not travel to locations under lockdown. Wait for further instructions from first responders".
Ottawa Police shared a statement on Twitter warning people to avoid the area, saying: "There is an ongoing police operation on Parliament Hill at the moment. Please avoid the area."
A subsequent police statement confirmed: "Officers are on scene at Parliament Hill for a barricaded man in the area of East block. There is a large police presence in the area."
The statement added that road closures remain in place on Wellington Street from Bank Street to Sussex Drive.
Squad cars were seen lining the street outside the Parliament building.
According to Canada's National Post, a reporter working in the building observed "at least a dozen Parliamentary Protective Service and Ottawa Police Service vehicles are surrounding East Block."
The reporter noted that access to Parliament Hill was closed even to pass holders.
One officer was reportedly "holding up a rifle to the building main entrance but then backing off."
The reporter added that police had "shut down the stretch of Wellington Street in front of Parliament" and were "setting up police tape around the street."
There were also indications that a bomb squad might be on site.
Authorities have confirmed there are no known injuries in the ongoing situation.
Police continue to deal with the individual as the incident unfolds.
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The East Block, which houses senators and their staff, has been evacuated amid a large police presence at Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
Authorities have closed roads in the area and warned the public to stay away from the scene of the ongoing incident.
The alarm was raised just before 3pm local time (8pm GMT).
The Parliamentary Protective Service (PPS) released an urgent alert announcing a "lockdown" at 111 Wellington Street, Canada's House of Commons.
People in the building and immediate area were instructed to "seek shelter in the nearest room" and "lock all doors and hide".
The PPS statement read: "A LOCKDOWN has been declared at: 111 Wellington - East Block. Seek shelter in the nearest room. Close and lock all doors and hide."
It continued: "If you are not in the immediate area, stay away until further notice. Do not travel to locations under lockdown. Wait for further instructions from first responders".
Ottawa Police shared a statement on Twitter warning people to avoid the area, saying: "There is an ongoing police operation on Parliament Hill at the moment. Please avoid the area."
A subsequent police statement confirmed: "Officers are on scene at Parliament Hill for a barricaded man in the area of East block. There is a large police presence in the area."
The statement added that road closures remain in place on Wellington Street from Bank Street to Sussex Drive.
Squad cars were seen lining the street outside the Parliament building.
According to Canada's National Post, a reporter working in the building observed "at least a dozen Parliamentary Protective Service and Ottawa Police Service vehicles are surrounding East Block."
The reporter noted that access to Parliament Hill was closed even to pass holders.
One officer was reportedly "holding up a rifle to the building main entrance but then backing off."
The reporter added that police had "shut down the stretch of Wellington Street in front of Parliament" and were "setting up police tape around the street."
There were also indications that a bomb squad might be on site.
Authorities have confirmed there are no known injuries in the ongoing situation.
Police continue to deal with the individual as the incident unfolds.
Find Out More...