Authorities at Joint Base Andrews (JBA) in Maryland, the base of operations for Air Force One, have launched an investigation after several individuals fell ill upon opening a suspicious package containing a white powder. The incident, which took place near Washington, D.C., led to the temporary evacuation of the affected building and an adjacent facility.
According to a JBA spokesperson, first responders arrived swiftly at the scene, assessed the situation, and found no immediate threats. The individuals who became ill were treated by medical personnel and are reported to be in stable condition. The spokesperson confirmed that the base has since resumed normal operations, though a full investigation remains underway.
CNN, citing unnamed sources familiar with the inquiry, reported that the package contained an unidentified white substance and political propaganda materials. Initial testing by a Hazmat team found no hazardous materials, but authorities continue to analyze the powder to determine its composition.
Joint Base Andrews is a high-security military installation that houses the U.S. presidential aircraft and its support fleet. It serves as the departure and arrival point for the President of the United States on both domestic and international trips.
Officials have not yet disclosed the number of individuals affected or the specific symptoms they experienced. However, precautionary measures were taken immediately to ensure the safety of base personnel.
The incident has raised security concerns, particularly given the sensitive nature of operations at Joint Base Andrews. Investigators are now focusing on tracing the source and sender of the package to determine whether the incident was a deliberate act or an accident.
Authorities emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public and that all necessary precautions were followed. The results of the ongoing investigation are expected to shed more light on the mysterious package and its contents.
