A hand grenade was found in a doorway opposite the Tempelgasse police station in Vienna's Leopoldstadt district, the Vienna Police Department said in a Sunday morning statement.
Austrian daily newspaper Österreich noted that the grenade was found near two synagogues on Tempelgasse street, though reported that "there was no threatening letter or indication that the grenade was intended for either of the two synagogues."
Additionally, German-language news outlet Huete claimed that the explosive had been found near a facility that cares for Holocaust survivors.
Police cordoned off the area and called in the bomb disposal unit of the Austrian Federal Police.
No connection to synagogue, antisemitic intent
According to the police statement, initial investigation showed the grenade was defunct, as it "contained no explosives, and the detonator was inoperative."
"Based on the information currently available, there is no direct connection to the synagogue located in Tempelgasse or any antisemitic intent," the statement went on, noting that Austria's counter-extremism office has been notified, and further investigations into the incident are underway.
Vienna police further advised the public to immediately report any suspicious objects "containing explosives or war material," and to move to a safe distance.