Suspicious Package at Joint Base Andrews Causes Illness and Evacuation: Investigation Ongoing

The US Department of Defense and Joint Base Andrews failed to provide immediate responses regarding the incident.

A suspicious package delivered to a US military installation in Maryland resulted in multiple individuals becoming ill, with several requiring hospitalization, as reported by CNN on Thursday.

According to CNN, Joint Base Andrews, situated outside Washington, DC, issued a statement confirming that a building on the base underwent evacuation after someone "opened a suspicious package."

The statement noted that multiple affected individuals were subsequently transported to Malcolm Grove Medical Center located on the base for medical attention.

"As a precautionary measure, both the building and connecting structure were evacuated, with authorities establishing a safety perimeter around the affected area," CNN reported, referencing the official statement from the base.

"First responders from Joint Base Andrews were promptly dispatched to the location, determined no immediate threats existed, and transferred jurisdiction to the Office of Special Investigations. An investigation is currently underway."

According to two sources familiar with the investigation, the package contained an unidentified white powder, CNN reported.

One source close to the matter informed CNN that while the initial field testing conducted by the HAZMAT team did not detect any hazardous substances, investigations remain ongoing.

When contacted by Reuters for comment, neither the US Department of Defense nor Joint Base Andrews provided an immediate response.