Military base partially evacuated after 'suspicious package' with white powder sees multiple fall ill
Topics: News, US News, Donald Trump
Gerrard Kaonga
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/NICHOLAS KAMM
Topics: News, US News, Donald Trump
A suspicious package being received at a US military base in Maryland resulted in evacuations as multiple individuals began feeling unwell.
On November 6, Joint Base Andrews, which is just outside of the Washington, D.C. area, saw two buildings evacuated after a suspicious package was received and opened.
Most concerningly according to CNN, citing sources familiar with the investigation, the outlet stated the package contained an unidentified white powder and several people subsequently fell ill.
Multiple people were taken to the on-base Malcolm Grove Medical Center for assessment, but the extent of their illness at the time is not known.
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Donald Trump and many of his staff often travel from this base as it houses the US presidential plane and its supporting aircrafts. Trump was most recently at the base the day before.
The base also issued a statement that read: “As a precaution, the building and connecting building were evacuated, and a cordon was established around the area.
“Joint Base Andrews first responders were dispatched to the scene, determined there were no immediate threats, and have turned the scene over to Office of Special Investigations. An investigation is currently ongoing.”
A HAZMAT team also conducted tests on the package and did not detect anything hazardous, according to the CNN report.
As well as this, the package also contained political propaganda, and this is being investigated, according to the sources.
A spokesperson for the base did provide a brief update about the individuals who did fall ill.
Speaking to Axios they said those that fell ill ‘were evaluated and treated by JBA medical personnel, determined to be in stable condition and released today'.
UNILAD has contacted the US Department of Defense for comment on the matter.
This incident comes only a few months after multiple envelopes containing a white powder were delivered to a government building in New York City.
The incident occurred on August 9 at 26 Federal Plaza, in Manhattan's Foley Square.
The address the New York headquarters of federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, Homeland Security and ICE.
Analysis of the white powder confirmed that the substance was a boric acid, commonly used in pesticides and other chemicals and can be harmful if eaten.
It is not clear at this time if either incident is connected in any way.