Seybold Event Interrupted by Bomb Threat, Thousands Eventually Evacuated
Press release from the issuing company
September 11, 2003 -- (WhatTheyThink.com) -- An estimated 11,000 people were told to leave San Francisco's Moscone Center on Wednesday after someone claimed there was a bomb hidden in the building. Oracle and Seybold meetings were being held at the time.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that law enforcement officials believe the person who made the threat has made similar threats in the past. The person contacted the convention center about 1:20 p.m. saying a bomb had been hidden "in a dark place" and was due to go off in an hour.
Authorities told the press that they were being especially careful leading up to today's second anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
However, WhatTheyThink.com contributing columnist Cary Sherburne said people were asked to evacuate the building about 3:15 PM. She was preparing to give a presentation at the time. "When I read later in the San Francisco Chronicle that the threat came in at 1:20, with an estimated one-hour detonation time, I was amazed. The deadline had actually come and gone before the building was even evacuated."
She continued, "Attendees were calm and orderly, and people were using the sidewalk time to get some business done - phone calls, conversations- or to grab a cup of coffee across the street at the Metreon. I really wondered, though, why they had all of us standing outside of a glass building that may-or may not-have had a bomb inside.”
Seybold attendees were informed about 4:15 PM that the show was closed for the day.