A London park has reopened following a police probe prompted by a video from an Islamist group claiming drones were sent with “radioactive and cancer-causing materials” toward the Israeli embassy.
Upon discovering the video online, the Metropolitan Police swiftly closed Kensington Gardens to the public while they conducted a thorough investigation. Officers donned hazmat suits to examine the scene.
Specialist teams equipped with protective gear and gas masks were dispatched to scrutinize several discarded items, ensuring no threat existed to public safety.
Authorities have now confirmed there were no dangerous substances present, eliminating any risk to the community. Consequently, the investigation has concluded, and Kensington Gardens is now accessible once more.
The incident followed a claim by the group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI), linked to Iran, which posted a video asserting that two drones with “radioactive and carcinogenic material” were targeted at the nearby Israeli embassy.
Despite the video’s “extremely amateurish” nature, security officials took the threats seriously, suspecting the group might be acting as a proxy for pro-Iranian regime factions.
In a video released by HAYI, two people dressed in white hazmat-style suits could be seen handling drones adorned with its logo. Footage, which appeared to have been filmed in a local park, then showed a drone taking off into the evening sky.
The Met Police confirmed yesterday that the embassy has not been attacked, but at the time said it was investigating the authenticity of the video and whether there was any link between it and the items discarded in the park.
Officers wearing protective suits were pictured in Kensington Gardens just before 9am on Friday, while access to the public was blocked off.
Pictured: A group of officers gather in Kensington Gardens yesterday after an Islamist ‘terror cell’ posted a video of what they claimed were drones carrying ‘radioactive and cancer-causing materials’ toward the Israeli embassy
Forensic police officers arrive at Kensington Gardens in central London on Friday. The London park has since reopened after police found there were no risk to the wider public
Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia on Thursday released this photograph of a drone bearing the group’s logo, before today claiming it had targeted the Israeli embassy
Officers stand by a Police van inside the closed Kensington Palace Gardens on Friday. The force confirmed the embassy had not been attacked
Pictured: Emergency services responding to the incident in Kensington Gardens on Friday
A van belonging to the Metropolitan Police’s chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) team, a fire investigation unit from the London Fire Brigade and the London Ambulance Service’s hazardous area response team were also present at the scene.
Later, divers from the Metropolitan Police underwater and confined space search team arrived close to the bandstand.
Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia has claimed responsibility for a series of incidents since the start of the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran, including the arson attack on ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity.
It has also claimed recent attempted arson attacks at a synagogue in Finchley and an Iranian TV station in Wembley, which is critical of the regime. And in its latest video, the group said it has ‘moved to the second phase of operations’.
The gates to Kensington Gardens were shut yesterday morning, with signs, which read, ‘Hazardous conditions – do not enter’, informing the public that the park is closed
The force has since concluded there were no hazardous or harmful substances and has since re-opened Kensington Gardens to the public.
Commander Helen Flanagan, of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: ‘We recognise this incident and consequent police activity may have caused concern among local residents and the wider public. We are grateful to them for their understanding while our work was undertaken.
‘Although the items found have been assessed as being non-hazardous, we continue to investigate whether they may have any link to the online video. This work is being carried out by officers from Counter Terrorism Policing London and our enquiries remain ongoing.
‘While the Embassy of Israel was not attacked, we continue to work closely with the Embassy and its security team to keep the site safe and secure.’
The force has asked the public to remain vigilant and to report anything that doesn’t look or feel right by calling police on 0800 789 321.
Alternatively, incidents can also be reported online or in an emergency by dialling 999.
