America.. A bomb found in an ethanol plant in Illinois triggers massive evacuations

(CNN) - Officials said that a bomb was found at an ethanol plant in central Illinois, which led to the opening of an investigation with the participation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and prompted the authorities to evacuate thousands of people residing in the surrounding areas.

Police said that the bomb was found in a facility belonging to the company "Bio Orga Renewables" within an industrial complex in the city of Peoria, which has a population of 110,000 people.

“We know it's a real threat, and we know it's a bomb,” Peoria Mayor Rita Ali said late Friday, adding that it was not yet clear whether there were other devices at the site.

Peoria Police Chief Brad Dixon noted in a press conference on Saturday morning that bomb threats are not a rare occurrence in the United States, but they often turn out to be “not serious.” He added: "But the matter here is different. We found an object that represents a real threat, and we are not treating this situation as a false report."

Officials explained that the authorities identified a one-mile danger zone around the bomb site, and emergency teams evacuated more than 5,000 residents and workers as a precaution.

For his part, Ryan Pressley, Special Agent at the FBI in Springfield, said: “Although the investigation is still in its early stages, we will work tirelessly to identify the person responsible and bring him to justice.”

No arrests were made, and no injuries were reported.

Police and other authorities spent hours combing the large complex for evidence on Friday, while Dixon said: “It is a huge facility, and it will undergo a comprehensive inspection, which is not yet complete.”

Shelters were set up at Manual Academy High School in Peoria and the Eastside Center Sports Complex in East Peoria, and the Peoria Fire Department, Peoria County Sheriff's Office, and the Illinois Secretary of State's Office participated in the response efforts.