Canada Parliament on lockdown with urgent warning to 'seek shelter' and 'hide'

Canada's Parliament building has been shut down as police tell people to avoid the area. released an urgent alert, announcing a "lockdown" at 111 Wellington Street, Canada's . People in the building and the immediate area have been told to "seek shelter in the nearest room" and "lock all doors and hide".

A huge police presence was seen outside the Parliament Hill building, with squad cars lining the street. Armed officers wearing military clothing were seen aiming rifles at the building.

In a later statement, Ottawa Police said they are on scene after a man "barricaded" himself in the building. They added that the East Block of the building - which houses senators and their staff - has been evacuated. They are continuing "to deal with an individual" after the alarm was raised just before 3pm local time (8pm GMT).

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In the statement, the PPS said: "A LOCKDOWN has been declared at: 111 Wellington - East Block. Seek shelter in the nearest room. Close and lock all doors and hide. If you are not in the immediate area, stay away until further notice. Do not travel to locations under lockdown. Wait for further instructions from first responders".

Ottawa Police shared a statement warning people to avoid the area. Their post on read: "There is an ongoing police operation on Parliament Hill at the moment. Please avoid the area. There is no further information. Updates to follow."

A subsequent statement read: "[The PPS and Ottawa Police] officers are on scene at Parliament Hill for a barricaded man in the area of East block. There is a large police presence in the area. East block has been evacuated.

"There are no known injuries and police continue to deal with an individual in this ongoing incident that began just before 3 p.m. Please avoid the area and follow the direction of officers. Road closures remain in place on Wellington St. from Bank Street to Sussex Drive."

According to Canada's National Post, a reporter working in the building said he saw "at least a dozen Parliamentary Protective Service and Ottawa Police Service vehicles are surrounding East Block. Access to the Hill is closed even to pass holders.” The reporter added that a bomb squad may be on site.

One of the officers was "holding up a rifle to the building main entrance but then backing off."

“[Police have] shut down the stretch of Wellington Street in front of Parliament. They are setting up police tape around the street,” he added.

In 2014, authorities locked down the downtown core of Ottawa when 32-year-old Michael Zehaf-Bibeau went on a rampage in the political district. After shooting dead Canadian soldier, Corporal Nathan Cirillo, Zehaf-Bibeau went ran inside the parliament buildings where he was fatally shot 31 times by six Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers.

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