Statue of Liberty evacuated after 'suspicious package' threat

American news outlets said Liberty Island was also being evacuated because of security concerns. Photo / Getty Images

The Statue of Liberty is being evacuated due to a "suspicious package", US media has reported.

American news outlets said Liberty Island was also being evacuated because of security concerns.

Statue of Liberty is being evacuated; #NYPD bomb squad is on the scene: http://t.co/wJSgobnXF1 pic.twitter.com/mM2fuBSbkW

— The Situation Room (@CNNSitRoom) April 24, 2015

The evacuation begun before 1pm local time, National Parks Service told NBC.

The spokesman for the service said they were conducting "security sweeps".

Being evacuated from Liberty Island New York pic.twitter.com/t4B6XwV9Sh

— Karla Chavez (@karscool) April 24, 2015

CNN reported that a bomb squad from the New York police department was at the scene.

It was not immediately clear what exactly caused the security fears but members of the public tweeted that police boats had arrived and they were being taken off the island.

Waiting to be evacuated off #libertyisland. Interesting. pic.twitter.com/C0WAdbZRyB

— Rick Borgmeyer (@flyingtigers) April 24, 2015

Members of the public evacuating tweeted pictures and video of the crowds.