PATH trains in and out of the World Trade Center in Manhattan were halted and the station evacuated for nearly two hours Sunday after a bomb-sniffing dog detected possible explosives — but the suspicious package turned out to be harmless, sources said.
Police were called to investigate a bag left unattended near Track 2 at 3 p.m. — and one of their K9 pooches then reacted in a way that could signal explosive compounds, law-enforcement sources said.
PATH told riders through Twitter at 3:19 p.m.: “Due to police activity, service in to and out of WTC is suspended. Please use MTA for service uptown for PATH service in to New Jersey.”
The station was evacuated, and every entrance into the Oculus was blocked as an NYPD bomb squad investigated.
By 4:54 p.m., the Port Authority announced all was clear.
“Concerning the earlier WTC suspended, the station is open and a normal schedule has resumed,” the Port Authority tweeted.
“PATH service at WTC station is resuming after an unattended item was cleared by police. Passengers should anticipate residual delays.”
Additional reporting by David K. Li