US: US authorities briefly evacuated the White House and Congress yesterday after an unidentified aircraft approached the centre of Washington, raising fears of a September 11th-style attack.
An official of the Homeland Security Department identified the plane as a Cessna, which is a light aircraft. Fighter jets had scrambled over the American capital in the alert. CNN said the plane was escorted away by the jets.
President Bush was not at the White House at the time, having gone to a wildlife preserve in the suburbs.
News of the aircraft's approach prompted Capitol police to move through the large building, urgently shouting "get out, get out". The House and Senate were in session and the authorities cleared the floors and galleries.
The Secret Service gave the all-clear within minutes of the scare and allowed staff to return to their offices.
A Homeland Security Department official said the Cessna entered the restricted fly zone around Washington and got within 5km of the Capitol. It turned away but then turned around again toward the Capitol. The pilot was not in contact with air traffic controllers, he said. - (Reuters)