Key Bridge Reopens After Suspicious Item Found Near Ukrainian Embassy

ARLINGTON, VA — The Francis Scott Key Bridge connecting Arlington and Washington, D.C., reopened Friday after a suspicious item near the Ukrainian Embassy prompted a security investigation and closed the crossing in both directions.

All lanes reopened by 11:45 a.m., WUSA9 reported. The bridge connects Rosslyn with Georgetown across the Potomac River.

D.C. authorities issued an AlertDC notice at 9:13 a.m. confirming the bridge and the 3300 block of M Street NW were closed due to police activity. A later alert listed an additional closure of Wisconsin Avenue NW between M and O Streets.

D.C. police and Secret Service officers responded around 8:40 a.m. to the 3300 block of M Street NW, according to FOX 5’s reporting based on information from both agencies. The police department’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit assisted.

No injuries were reported.

The object was found near the entrance to the embassy’s consular section, prompting the temporary evacuation of staff and visitors, the New York Post reported, citing Ukrainian officials.

Denys Sienik, Ukraine’s charge d’affaires, told the outlet that U.S. law enforcement determined the object posed no threat after inspecting it. The area around the embassy reopened, and Sienik said consular services would resume shortly.