Armed  police were spotted descending on a ferry terminal in South Hampton, England and dramatically detaining a man in front of stunned cruise passengers today, following a bomb scare. The 63-year-old man claimed to have an explosive device, and upon searching the vessel and surrounding area, nothing was found.

The man was arrested on suspicion of a public order offense and communicating false information. He was released and will have a court hearing on Nov. 8, according to People magazine. At this point in time, there has been no mention of motive. 

Officers were filmed surrounding a van at Southampton port on Saturday as passengers aboard the Ventura, a PandO cruise ship bound for the Canary Islands, were instructed to gather at muster points. Among them was Andy Palmer, an early boarder who was close to the action when police established a 200-meter perimeter, reports Mirror UK. 

From the ship, Mr. Palmer observed the arrest and recounted the moment he learned of the bomb threat. 

He said he had just boarded the ferry and was enjoying “some lunch and a drink” when he saw “a guy being dragged out of his car by six armed policemen.”

A representative for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary verified that officers responded to an incident after receiving reports of a man “claiming to be in possession of an explosive device.”

They reported: “Police are currently on scene at the Mayflower Cruise Ferry terminal in Southampton.

“This follows reports of a man claiming to be in possession of an explosive device. The man was arrested and a 200m cordon was put in place while specialist officers searched a lorry at the location.

“Searches have concluded and no such device has been located. We are satisfied that there is no risk to the public, and the cordon will now be lifted.”

NEED TO KNOW

• A cruise ship was forced to evacuate after a man claimed he had an explosive device on board

• The incident took place while the vessel was in Southampton, England, on Aug. 9

• The 63-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a public order offense and communicating false information

A cruise ship was forced to evacuate due to a bomb threat.

At around 11:46 a.m. local time on Saturday, Aug. 9, police were called to the Mayflower Cruise Ferry terminal in Southampton, England, after receiving reports of “a man claiming to be in possession of an explosive device,” Hampshire Police said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

Officers searched a large truck near the location, and ITV News reported that police formed a large barricade as they investigated the P&O Cruises ship Ventura.

Hampshire Police later confirmed that no explosive device was located during the search. “We are satisfied that there was no risk to the public,” they said.

Authorities said a 63-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a public order offense and communicating false information. He was later released on bail, and he has a court hearing set for Nov. 8.

A P&O Cruises spokesperson said in a statement, per ITV News, “Due to an earlier police incident and in an abundance of caution, we made the decision to evacuate Ventura and the passenger terminal.”

“The safety of our guests, crew and port staff is our highest priority and we are grateful for the co-operation of the authorities, as well as everyone’s patience whilst the precautionary measures were in place,” the representative continued.

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In footage obtained byThe Mirror, armed police could be seen surrounding the cruise ship terminal as a man was handcuffed.

One passenger who witnessed the arrest told the outlet that he saw the man “being dragged out of his car by six armed policemen” with “tasers and guns.”

The eyewitness added that he saw staff “turning people away” from the cruise ship, while “a couple of thousand” were waiting to board the vessel.

The Southampton site where the search took place is run by Associated British Ports, according to ITV News.

A spokesperson for the company told the outlet, “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. We will support any ongoing inquiries by the relevant authorities.”

P&O Cruises and Associated British Ports did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Sunday, Aug. 10.

Read the original article on People