Multiple news outlets reported an incident around the Ubisoft Montreal building in Quebec, Canada on Friday.
Journal de MontrealandTV Nouvellesfirst reported that armed police had been deployed to the streets surrounding theUbisoft Montrealbuilding, amid unconfirmed reports of employees being held hostage.
Videos published on social media showed police cordoning off the area around the building, where authoritiesconfirmedan “ongoing operation” was taking place.
Live footage on Canadian news channels reportedly showed employees on the roof of the building, with the entrance barricaded. Other employees were said to be barricaded in conference rooms.
According to the reports, employees took cover after receiving a threatening call.
Video de este momento del techo de las oficinas de Ubisoft en Montreal. Se ve a algunos empleados que se están protegiendo con barricadas en las puertas.#GameSapiens#Ubisoft#Montrealpic.twitter.com/301RJUMLaT
🇨🇦 Possible prise d’otages à Ubisoft Montréal : les#policiersdes forces d’interventions spéciales sont sur place. Des dizaines de personnes seraient retenues contre leur gré dans le bâtiment. Une rancon aurait été demandée. (TVA)#Canadapic.twitter.com/zvO9w3zV27
This is happening right now near@UbisoftMTL-@CBCMontreal@CBCTheNational@CTVMontreal@CTVNews@Global_Montreal@LP_LaPresse@LeDevoirpic.twitter.com/ZxiJrAkkbm
https://twitter.com/MrPope/status/1327329554294312963
UPDATE 12:09 PT:Montreal Policehave saidthey were dispatched to the scene to respond to a call to 911. Specialized police officers are on the scene to carry out checks and no injuries have been reported.
Valérie Plante, the mayor of Montrealtweeted: “My team is in close communication with the police and we are monitoring the situation closely. We encourage Montrealers to avoid the Mile End area.”
Des policiers ont été dépêchés sur place afin de répondre à un appel reçu à la Centrale 911. Des policiers spécialisés du#SPVMsont sur les lieux et effectuent des vérifications. Aucun blessé n’est à signaler.https://t.co/Gb6iEv5lmz
UPDATE 12:29 PT:Journal de MontrealandTV Nouvellesare both reporting that the 911 call that triggered the major police operation was unfounded. However, nothing has been confirmed by the police.
UPDATE 12:43 PT:People are reportedly starting to evacuate the building.
According to local media, investigators are actively working to locate the person responsible for the threatening call. Many employees confined in the building did not know that it was a false alarm.
OPÉRATION POLICIÈRE CHEZ UBISOFT | Des gens commencent à évacuer le bâtiment. Des dizaines de personnes sont vues accompagnées des policiers. Le tout se passe dans le calme.https://t.co/wrwYBoebWNpic.twitter.com/HqQ6376e2P
BREAKING: Alleged hostages exited the building.Sources from inside the building allege this apparent hostage situation was a false alert.On the ground for@WestphalianNews#ubisoft#Montrealpic.twitter.com/RKWqBPMwvU
UPDATE 16:47 PT:Montreal Police have announced that the operation in connection with the “hostage taking call” is over.
No threat has been detected and no injuries are reported, they said. An investigation will follow to shed light on the call behind the incident.
The Montreal Police’s full statement follows:
This Friday afternoon, the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) deployed a large number of resources to answer a call for a hostage situation in a Saint-Laurent Boulevard office building. The perimeter was quickly secured and the SPVM confirms that no threat has been detected and no injuries are reported.
The evacuees are being directed to a place where investigators will take their statement. A team of CIUSS social workers is also on hand to support them as needed.
An investigation will follow regarding the call behind this important police force deployment.
