Police surround Greyhound bus with 17 aboard in NH after report of explosive device

Bomb threat reported on NH bus with 17 aboard

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — Someone aboard a Greyhound bus carrying nearly 20 people called 911 and reported an explosive device on board Thursday, authorities said, leading police to surround the vehicle and evacuate nearby buildings and streets.

The 911 call came after the bus’ arrival in Portsmouth around 11:30 a.m. and was “based on someone’s observations,” Police Capt. Mike Schwartz said. He had not heard of any threat being made.

Police were in contact with people on the bus, but it was unclear why they remained on board. The state police explosives disposal unit and the FBI were on scene, but no authorities had approached the bus almost two hours later.

“We want to make sure things are safe,” Schwartz said, and police were not calling it a hostage situation.

The driver, who police say got off the bus after he parked it on the side of the road, was being questioned. Seventeen people remained aboard, officials said.

The bus was parked with its flashers on, between a municipal parking garage and the Hilton Garden Inn. The hotel, garage and other area businesses had been evacuated, and streets have been closed.

The bus originated in Bangor, Maine, and made a stop in Portland before reaching Portsmouth, a scheduled stop. The bus would have continued on to Boston and ultimately New York City.