The National Gallery of Victoria was evacuated and St Kilda Rd closed to traffic after a red backpack was discovered on the footpath near the gallery’s entrance.

Emergency services were called to the gallery about 5pm on Saturday, with police treating the unaccompanied bag, which appears to be a school backpack, as potentially dangerous.

A bomb squad was also called to the scene in Southbank to investigate the contents of the bag, which was discovered and reported by members of the public.

St Kilda Rd was blocked to traffic heading into the city, while trams in both directions were also suspended as a precautionary measure.

Fire Rescue Victoria crews remained on standby at the scene.

The evacuation comes just months after the National Gallery of Victoria was locked down due to pro-Pal

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