Threat Lifted After Bomb Squad Investigates Package in Madison Square Park (Updated)

The appearance of a suspicious package in Madison Square Park has drawn the attention of the NYPD's Bomb Squad:

Authorities were apparently summoned after a bag placed on a bench was noticed:

The park has been roped off and traffic in the immediate area has been shut down.

According to Jeff Revesz, Director of Ads Technology for BuzzFeed, the threat has been alleviated:

UPDATE: A representative from New York City's Office of Emergency Management confirmed that the package had been cleared, saying "There was a call about a suspicious package that warranted a response, but it has since been properly identified."

[via Twitter]