THE HAGUE, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- A suspicious package was found in front of the HaCarmel Kosher Restaurant in the south of Amsterdam on Wednesday morning.

As a precaution, police have largely closed off the Amstelveenseweg street where the restaurant is located. The Defense Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service (DEODS) is currently investigating the package. The houses and shops near the restaurant have been evacuated.

"We received a report this morning and we took it seriously because we suspect it might contain an explosive," Amsterdam police spokesperson Piet Kelder said in a statement.