(VOVworld) - The French consulate in New York, where thousands of expatriates were registered to cast ballots in their presidential election, was briefly evacuated following a bomb threat on Saturday. 

The bomb threat appears right before the French presidential election. (Photo: Nydailynews)

Consul General Anne-Claire Legendre said police ordered consulate staff to evacuate the building after they had detected a bomb threat on a vehicle on Fifth Avenue. She added that after the Champs Elysees attack, the New York police department was told to be especially vigilant.

Some 28,500 French citizens living in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut were registered to vote at the consulate.