Arlington National Cemetery has closed until further notice due to an ongoing bomb threat, officials have said.
Funeral services have been delayed and visitors were being turned away from the cemetery after a bomb threat via email was made this morning at around 7am, according to police. A bomb threat squad was dispatched at around 8.40am and remain at the scene. There are no reports of injuries at the site, which receives around 3 million visitors every year.
The Virginia cemetery said on Twitter: "Arlington National Cemetery officials and Joint Base Myer Henderson-Hall emergency services are currently responding to a bomb threat. The cemetery is closed to the general public and funeral services have been delayed until further notice.
"The cemetery's response teams and local law enforcement partners are on site investigating the threat. The public is requested to avoid the area and wait for update." Law enforcement is on the scene and investigating.
The cemetery, established during the American Civil War, is a site of national interest and is the burial site of around 300,000 US troops. Under the jurisdiction of the US Army, it claims to be the "nation’s most hallowed ground." It is also the burial site of Presidents John F. Kennedy and William Taft and, according to the official website, 19 astronauts, four chief justices of the Supreme Court and 360 Medal of Honour recipients.
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Around 300,000 troops are buried at Arlington (EPA)According to the cemetery's website, they conduct 27 to 30 services each weekday and six to eight services on Saturdays. It is a final resting place for active duty service members. It states: "Arlington National Cemetery, our nation’s most hallowed ground, is the final resting place for approximately 400,000 active duty service members, veterans and their families. This historic cemetery bears witness to American heritage and the military service and sacrifice of men and women in uniform throughout U.S. history.
"Veterans are laid to rest with dignity and honour at Arlington National Cemetery by a compassionate and dedicated work force. We believe that caring for our nation's heroes and their families during their time of need is a sacred duty entrusted to us."
Family members receive a pass which only allows them to visit their loved ones grave and all members must depart the cemetery immediately following their gravesite visit, according to their website.
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