The Australian embassy in Spain was evacuated over a bomb threat that turned out to be a hoax.
The drama unfolded about midday local time (8pm AEST) on Tuesday when embassy staff in Madrid received the threat over the telephone.
"The building in which the Australian embassy Madrid is located was safely evacuated by local authorities due to a bomb threat," a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson in Canberra said.
The embassy is housed in the 57-storey Torrespacio building in Madrid's business district, along with other foreign missions including the British, Canadian and Dutch embassies.
Authorities evacuated the whole building, with the Australian embassy tweeting it would be closed for the rest of the day or until further notice.
However, the building was declared safe about three hours later, with authorities declaring it a hoax and occupants allowed back in.
"The building has since been declared safe and the Australian embassy is fully operational," DFAT said late on Tuesday night.
Australian Associated Press
