Flock of birds on NORAD radar cause White House to lock down
The White House was locked down and the U.S. Capitol and its office buildings were briefly evacuated Tuesday amid concerns about a small aircraft that violated restricted airspace in the area.
The evacuations were ordered as a precaution and lasted about half an hour.
According to WJLA, however, it wasn't an airplane but rather a flock of birds that put the nation's capital on alert.
The jets that were sent to intercept what was first thought of as a plane, never found an aircraft.
HAPPENING NOW: The White House appears to be on lockdown. The briefing room is currently locked.
— Andrew Feinberg (@AndrewFeinberg) November 26, 2019
The U.S. Secret Service said personnel at the White House were told to remain in place. That precaution was later lifted as well.
Update: The lockdown has been lifted at the White House after an aircraft entered restricted airspace in the DC area, causing a “national event conference” to be convened, a US defense official tells @barbarastarrcnn. Official said “it is not known to be hostile at this time.”
— (@betsy_klein)Nov 26 2019
Capitol Police sent a notification of a potential threat shortly after 8:30 a.m., and the evacuations were ordered. People were allowed back in after about 30 minutes.
Update: The lockdown has been lifted at the White House after an aircraft entered restricted airspace in the DC area, causing a “national event conference” to be convened, a US defense official tells @barbarastarrcnn. Official said “it is not known to be hostile at this time.” https://t.co/J4Oy4g55H7
— Betsy Klein (@betsy_klein) November 26, 2019
HAPPENING NOW: The White House appears to be on lockdown. The briefing room is currently locked.
— Andrew Feinberg (@AndrewFeinberg) November 26, 2019
Jet aircraft were scrambled in response to the incident.
DEVELOPING: Airspace violation reported in Washington, DC, and fighter jets have been scrambled, law enforcement officials tells @NBCNews.
— NBC News (@NBCNews) November 26, 2019
White House on lockdown. https://t.co/npp9EafLSO
I’m safe. There’s a plane in restricted airspace and I can’t get to my office in the Capitol. Hanging tight with the police in Russell. We are on lockdown.
— Theresa (@MDerinLilly) November 26, 2019
