A package exploded on the campus of Northeastern University in Boston late Tuesday, injuring a staff member, the school confirmed as authorities said another suspicious package was found near a prominent art museum.
A package was delivered to the university’s Holmes Hall shortly before 7 p.m. and detonated when a staff member opened it, Shannon Nargi, a spokesperson for Northeastern University, told USA TODAY in an email.
“The staff member sustained minor injuries and is being treated,” Nargi said in the email.
During a news conference late Thursday, authorities said they found a 45-year-old male who sustained minor hand injuries from the blast. The person, who was not identified, was later taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Boston police responded shortly before 7:30 p.m., and students who were attending an evening class at the hall were evacuated from the building. Boston Emergency Services also responded to the scene.
A police bomb squad sealed off a part of the campus to investigate the suspicious package, according to Boston police. A second package was discovered during the search but was rendered safe by the bomb squad.
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The investigation is still ongoing and local police are currently working with representatives from the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Forces and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox said during the news conference.
Classes in the surrounding area of the scene were canceled and people were asked to avoid the area, university police tweeted. Shortly before 9 p.m., university police said the scene was contained.
“We will update members of the Northeastern community when more information is available,” Nargi said in the email.
Holmes Hall is home to the school’s “Writing Center activities,” according to Northeastern’s website. Northeastern is a private university in downtown Boston.
Other schools in the area, Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said they were increasing patrols on their campuses as a precaution and urging students and faculty to report anything suspicious.
Contributing: The Associated Press