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Australia police examining suspicious packages at consulates

Hazmat and fire crews are seen outside the Indian and French consulates on St Kilda Road in Melbourne on January 9, 2019. (Photo/Kaitlyn Offer/AAP

SYDNEY (AP) — Several foreign consulates in Melbourne were evacuated Wednesday as Australian officials noted they were responding to multiple "hazardous material" events in the city.

The Australian Federal Police said that police and emergency services were examining suspicious packages delivered to the foreign consulates.

"The circumstances surrounding these incidents are being investigated," the police said in a statement.

The government Vic Emergency website noted at least 10 "hazardous material" incidents.

Police, fire crews and ambulances were seen at a number of diplomatic offices, including those of India, Italy, Spain and Germany.

The incidents come after a suspicious package was intercepted at the Argentine consulate in Sydney on Monday. Police there took away a sample of a substance for testing, the results of which have yet to be revealed.

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