A cruise ship in Southampton was evacuated following a bomb threat.

According to People, police responded to reports of a man claiming to possess an explosive device at the Mayflower Cruise Ferry terminal in Southampton, England, on August 9, around 11:46 a.m. local time.

The P&O Cruises ship Ventura was the subject of the search as authorities formed a large barricade around the vessel. Hampshire Police later confirmed that no explosive device was found during their search, stating they were "satisfied that there was no risk to the public."

Police Respond to Serious Security Threat

A 63-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a public order offense and communicating false information in connection with the incident. He has since been released on bail with a court hearing scheduled for November 8.

The incident prompted immediate security measures at the terminal. In footage obtained by The Mirror, armed police officers were seen surrounding the cruise terminal as they handcuffed a man.

One eyewitness told the outlet that he observed the suspect "being dragged out of his car by six armed policemen" who were equipped with "tasers and guns." The same witness reported seeing staff turning away potential passengers while "a couple of thousand" people were waiting to board the vessel.

Cruise Line Takes Precautionary Measures

P&O Cruises made the decision to evacuate both the Ventura and the passenger terminal in response to the threat. A spokesperson for the company issued a statement explaining their actions.

"Due to an earlier police incident and in an abundance of caution, we made the decision to evacuate Ventura and the passenger terminal," the P&O Cruises representative said, as reported by ITV News. The spokesperson emphasized that safety was their "highest priority" and expressed gratitude for the cooperation of authorities and passengers.

The cruise line also acknowledged the patience of everyone affected while the precautionary measures were in place. As of Sunday, August 10, P&O Cruises had not provided additional comments when contacted by People for further information.

Port Authorities Coordinate With Law Enforcement

The Southampton site where the search took place is operated by Associated British Ports, which quickly acknowledged the security incident. The company confirmed its awareness of the situation.

A spokesperson for Associated British Ports told People, "We are aware of a security incident that occurred at the Port this morning, Saturday, Aug. 9. Police attended the scene and have since stood down." The representative added that the company would support any ongoing inquiries conducted by relevant authorities.

Police conducted a thorough search of a large truck near the location as part of their investigation. Officers were deployed to secure the area and ensure public safety while the threat was being assessed.