Hoax event in Cumbria, Barrow-in-Furness area, United Kingdom on Wed 10th April 2019

The BAE Systems facility at Barrrow has been evacuated after reports of a bomb onboard an inbuild Astute class submarine. UPDATE: This article (and headline) has been amended to reflect that the emergency was a hoax. Barrow-in-Furness, commonly known as Barrow, is a town and borough in Cumbria and is home to BAE’s submarine construction facilities. 1,700 staff are believed to have been evacuated. BAE Systems confirm "nothing suspicious found" at nuclear submarines dockyard in Barrow following extensive sweep in wake of bomb warning. A BAE Systems spokesman said: “We can confirm there is an ongoing incident at our Barrow site and we are liaising with Cumbria Police. As a precaution the Devonshire Dock Complex has been closed. Staff, contractors and local residents are being kept informed.” BAE added later: “There is no perceived threat to the wider public at this time and the rest of the site is in operation as usual.” Emergency services were called at 09:17. A North West Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We are currently on scene but there are no known casualties.” A Cumbria Police spokesman said: “Police are on-site at BAE assisting staff.” UPDATE: This was found to be a hoax. The Astute class are the most powerful attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy, combining world leading sensors, design and weaponry in a versatile vessel. Confirmation of the build of the seventh Astute class nuclear submarine, HMS Agincourt, and a £2.5 billion pounds investment was announced last year. The class have provision for up-to 38 weapons in six 21-inch torpedo tubes. The submarines are capable of using Tomahawk Block IV land-attack missiles with a range of 1,000 miles and Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes.