Divis Tower evacuated over suspicious object

BBC A multi-storey block of flats, which features brown stone striped with red around windows. A number of emergency services vehicles are parked at the base of the tower. The sky is blue, with high clouds. BBC

Residents have been asked to leave their homes at Divis Tower in west Belfast after a security alert was declared over the discovery of a suspicious object.

Police are at the scene and road diversions are in place.

Road users are being asked to avoid the area.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has said it will continue to issue updates as the situation continues.

Sinn Féin MP for Belfast West Paul Maskey said the evacuation is "causing disruption to residents, particularly the elderly who have been forced to leave their homes".

"I will continue to stay in contact with police and I hope residents can return home shortly", he added.