Man in custody over bomb threat at US consulate in Nova Scotia

NOVA SCOTIA – A man was taken into custody on Aug 10 in Nova Scotia after he communicated a bomb threat toward the US Consulate in Halifax on the night of Aug 10 and flammable liquids were discovered in his vehicle in a nearby parking garage, authorities said.

The Halifax Regional Police evacuated several blocks around the consulate for more than five hours on Aug 10 until authorities determined there was no danger to the public.

Investigators did not release the name of the man, who had yet to be charged, or say what had prompted his threat.

He is 54 years old, according to police, who did not say how the bomb threat was communicated.

The consulate did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Aug 10.

The episode was the latest involving US Consulates in Canada, where twice in 2026 the one in Toronto was struck by gunfire.

Around 6.15pm on Aug 9 (5.15am on Aug 10 Singapore time), law enforcement officers in Nova Scotia learned that the US Consulate in Halifax had received a bomb threat and identified the man who had communicated it, authorities said.

Officers found the suspect’s vehicle inside a parking garage at Purdy’s Wharf at 8.10am on Aug 10 (7.10am on Aug 11 Singapore time) and could see a propane tank and several containers believed to contain flammable liquid within, said the police, who used the bomb squad to inspect the materials.

The police took the man into custody about 25 minutes later in the Clayton Park West neighbourhood, which is about 7 miles west of the consulate, authorities said. Investigators closed off streets in that neighbourhood because they were concerned that the man could be in possession of explosives, but declared the area safe on the afternoon of Aug 10.

That neighborhood is home to the Canada Games Center, a recreation and fitness facility, which noted on its website that it was closed until 4 pm on Aug 10 (3am on Aug 11 Singapore time) while the area was evacuated. NYTIMES

• This article originally appeared in The New York Times.