On Monday, a sudden security alert had to be issued outside the White House in the US capital Washington DC. A car collided with a signboard in Lafayette Square, located right in front of Rashtrapati Bhavan. US President Donald Trump was present inside the White House at the time of the incident.
Immediately after the accident, Secret Service and National Guard personnel took charge. After getting out of the car, the driver had a scuffle with the security personnel, after which he was taken into custody. As a precautionary measure, a temporary lockdown was imposed at the White House and the journalists present there were instructed to stay inside.
Car collides with signboard in front of White House, creates panic
According to the information, on Monday morning a silver colored sedan car reached the paved path in the northern part of Lafayette Square. Here the car directly collided with a signboard. After the collision, smoke started coming out of the car.
After the incident, the driver came out of the car and clashed with the security officials present at the spot. The video made by the journalist shows smoke around the car and a clash between the driver and the security personnel.
Scuffle between driver and security personnel, detained
After the car collided, American Secret Service and National Guard personnel immediately reached the spot. The driver allegedly had a physical conflict with the security personnel. After this the security forces overpowered him and took him into custody. At present the identity of the driver has not been made public. It is also not clear why the car collided with the signboard and whether it was done intentionally.
Temporary lockdown imposed in White House, journalists ordered to stay inside
After the incident, at around 10 am local time, the US Secret Service instructed the members of the press corps present in the White House to go inside and stay there. Security agencies tightened security in the entire area. As a precautionary measure, a temporary lockdown was imposed at the White House and movement around it was banned for some time. President Donald Trump was present in the White House at the time of the incident. However, initial information has not confirmed any direct threat to the President's security.
Where did the accident happen? Lafayette Square is in front of the White House
Lafayette Square is a major public space located directly across from the White House in Washington, DC. It is very close to Rashtrapati Bhavan on the other side of Pennsylvania Avenue. After the car entered such a sensitive area and hit the signboard, security agencies immediately became active. At present, the investigating agencies are trying to find out how the driver reached there and what was his intention behind the incident.
Accident or deliberate act? Will be revealed after investigation
Many important questions still remain regarding this incident. What was the reason for the car collision? Did the driver intend to defy the security system or was it just an accident? Till now, official information regarding the identity of the driver, the reason behind the incident and the possible motive has not been revealed. There has been no immediate confirmation of anyone being injured in the accident. The complete picture will be clear only after investigation by the investigating agencies.