Bomb found in Latin America’s tallest building

updated 9:08 p.m. ET Aug. 30, 2007

MEXICO CITY - More than 10,000 people were evacuated Thursday from Latin America's tallest building where police found a small handmade bomb inside a car parked in the garage, authorities said.

A bomb squad retrieved the device — consisting of three metal tubes filled with gunpowder, cables and a cell phone, all tied together with tape — from the 740-foot Torre Mayor on Mexico City's main Reforma avenue, the city's Public Security Department said in a news release.

Had the device exploded, damage would have been limited mostly to the car, the department said.

The federal Attorney General's Office is investigating the incident but there were no initial claims of responsibility.

An unidentified person called one of the tower's offices to warn that a bomb had been placed inside a car on one of the building's 13 parking levels. The car was reported stolen, authorities said.

A total of 10,800 people were evacuated from the 55-floor building, which opened in 2003.

More from msnbc.com Cronkite was America’s favorite uncle The recession is slowing in these 23 cities Which leader has a wandering eye? Take our quiz Elkhart Project Blog: We're at the county fair Cosmic Log: Next giant leap reconsidered

MORE FROM AMERICAS

Americas Section Front

Giant cocaine business hid in plain sight   Talks called last chance to end Honduras' crisis Were Chinese agents at Gitmo? Man accused of killing wife on cruise Americas Section Front   Add Americas headlines to your news reader: