A suspicious package containing an unknown white powder was delivered to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, resulting in several individuals falling ill and some being hospitalized, according to CNN.
The package was opened inside a building on the base, prompting immediate evacuation of that building and an adjacent one. A safety cordon was established around the area as a precautionary measure.
First responders at Joint Base Andrews determined there was no immediate threat after an initial assessment and transferred control to the Office of Special Investigations.
"An initial field test from the hazmat team did not detect anything hazardous, but the investigation remains ongoing," CNN cited a source close to the matter.
Joint Base Andrews is well-known as the home base for Air Force One, the aircraft used to transport the President of the United States.
"As a precaution, the building and connecting building were evacuated, and a cordon was established around the area," Joint Base Andrews stated.
The package’s contents and the full nature of the incident are under investigation.
Summary: A suspicious package containing white powder at Joint Base Andrews caused illnesses and hospitalizations, but initial hazardous tests were negative and investigations continue.