Forgotten briefcase sparks Wellington bomb scare

A forgotten brief case caused a bomb scare leading to a large part of central Wellington to be cordoned off during this evening's rush hour.

Police were alerted to the metal briefcase left in a carpark outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on the corner of Lambton Quay and Panama St about 4.30pm.

The building was evacuated, the area was cordoned off and traffic in the area diverted while the suspicious package was investigated.

In the meantime its owner realised he had driven off and left his case behind and tried to return to find it, said Inspector Anaru George of police central communications.

"He came back and couldn't get through the cordon. He explained to officers where he had left the bag and it clicked," Mr George said.

Unfortunately the incident happened during rush hour. Roads around the area were closed for about half an hour but traffic was starting to clear, he said.

- NZPA