NT Health says Aus-wide ‘bomb threat’ email sent to Alice Springs hospital sparked cop response

Security guards have been placed at the doors of a Red Centre hospital after a ‘bomb threat’ message was reportedly sent to hospitals across the country. LATEST DETAILS.

Security at the door of Alice Springs hospital Thursday, August 22, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov

A Red Centre hospital is back open – with security at the doors – after an “email bomb threat” sent the hospital into a code purple lockdown, with a witness saying she saw a man arrested at the hospital.

Access to Alice Springs Hospital was “restricted” by NT Police on Thursday morning, in what they called a “reported situation” on social media.

In a later update, police said the hospital had re-opened at 10.59am.

In a statement, NT Health said Alice Springs Hospital “was one of many health facilities across Australia that received a non-specific email bomb threat”.

Alice Springs hospital on Thursday morning. Picture: Gera Kazakov

“An emergency response was enacted, in partnership with NT Police and key stakeholders,” the statement said.

“No suspicious activity was detected and all health services at the Alice Springs Hospital continue to operate as normal.”

One witness told this masthead she had seen police arrest one man, in what she believed had been a “hostage situation”.

NT Police in response to questions confirmed there was no “hostage situation” but did not confirm whether a man had been arrested.

At the hospital doors, security guards were seen checking the bags of people entering.