Abu Dhabi's Yas Island partly closed as police cordon off streets

Yas Mall reopened shortly after lunchtime, the government's media office said

Courtesy Yas Mall 
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Yas Mall and part of Yas Island was shut down on Tuesday as police cordoned off streets to respond to an unspecified incident.

Mall staff and shoppers said they were asked to leave the shopping centre shortly after 9am.

Ferrari World was also closed and staff from the attraction said there was an unscheduled civil defence drill. They handed visitors complimentary tickets to be used on another day.

A statement from Miral, which developed much of the island, said visitors have been given the option to relocate to Warner Bros theme park.

Yas Marina Circuit was also closed for a short period, security at the scene said.

The Abu Dhabi Government Media Office said the closure was in response to an alarm going off in Yas Mall.

It said the shopping centre reopened shortly after 1pm.

"Earlier this morning an alarm went off in Yas Mall and we asked customers and staff to temporarily vacate the premises," the media office said on Twitter.

"The Mall is now open and we apologise for any inconvenience."