Photo: Bertil Ericson/TT
UPDATING: Two separate areas in central Stockholm have been cordoned off since 2.30pm when a man walked into a building in Gamla Stan and said he had a bomb strapped to his body.
"The negotiators are on location and waited 50 minutes to get the signal to contact the man," policeman Paul Hansson told SVT around 6pm.
He said they have the man's telephone number but have not made contact.
"This could end with him blowing himself up, or - even worse - running out of there."
The incident began early on Thursday afternoon, a Stockholm police officer told The Local.
"We got a call at 2.24pm to say a man had made his way into the offices of a human rights organization on Stora Nygatan 26. He claimed to be carrying an explosive item," Inspector Sven-Erik Olsson said at 4.40pm.
IN PICTURES: See more from the scene
The address is that of the Civil Rights Defenders office on Gamla Stan.
"Staff immediately left the building. The man left his telephone number. He called us and we have been in contact with him several times."
"He also mentioned Sveavägen 68 (the Social Democrats' headquarters). It turns out that their office was closed today but we have cordoned off the surrounding area."
The Moderate Party's office in Gamla Stan has been evacuated too, after the man "expressed dissatisfaction" with the parties in parliament, Olsson explained.
"He has not been localized. We have secured the building but have not searched it. We are not aware of there being anyone else there."
Olsson added that the man was not known to police previously, and that police were unable to identify him.
The man remains inside the Civil Rights Defenders office, which is currently surrounded by police and bomb technicians.
The blockade in Gamla Stan has been extended by some 100 metres...Sirens are echoing.
— The Local/Solveig (@TheLocalSweden) June 19, 2014
The Local's reporter on the scene said there are plenty of confused and curious tourists on the scene, as well as irritated businessmen. Police appear tense, and a Swat team has already entered one building, she added.
In December 2010, central Stockholm was hit by a suicide bomb attack, although only the bomber was killed.
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