Coast Guard investigating threat claim at Charleston port

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (AP) – Coast Guard officials say a terminal at the Port of Charleston has been evacuated because of a claim about a threat aboard a ship.

Coast Guard Sector Charleston commander Capt. Greg Stump tells WCIV-TV that employees have been evacuated Wednesday night and a portion of the Cooper River has been closed.

Stump says a YouTube conspiracy theorist reported a suspected threat aboard a container ship in the port. He says authorities are investigating out of caution.

The commander says the threat is more to the vessel than public safety. No further details were available.