Back to the Top News Newsfeed

Controlled explosion used on 'suspicious package' at Rio’s Olympic stadium

A police bomb squad used a controlled explosion Sunday evening to destroy a "suspicious package" at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium, the site of Friday's opening ceremony, according to multiple reports.

MORE: Guide to all 32 venues for the games | TV schedule for Rio

A police inspector told local media outlets the package — described alternately as a toolbox or bag — contained no explosive device. It was detonated by the team's tactical robot around 9:30 p.m. local time, and traffic around the stadium resumed shortly thereafter. New Zealand's Channel 7 reported hearing the explosion on site.