A suspicious package discovered at Joint Base Andrews near Washington led to several people falling ill and prompted an emergency evacuation. Authorities continue to investigate the incident, though no immediate danger has been found.
Base officials confirmed that the alert began when an individual opened a suspicious envelope inside a facility. Following standard safety protocol, the building and an adjacent structure were evacuated while a security perimeter was established.
“As a precaution, the building and the connecting building were evacuated, and a perimeter was established around the area.”
First responders from Joint Base Andrews quickly arrived at the scene. Preliminary assessments revealed no direct threat, and the location was handed over to the Office of Special Investigations for a detailed review.
“An assessment found no immediate threats, and the site was handed over to the Office of Special Investigations. The investigation continues.”
The envelope’s contents—an unidentified white powder—were sent to Malcolm Grove Medical Center for testing. Several individuals affected were treated at the same facility. Early field testing by the HAZMAT team detected no hazardous materials, though the investigation remains open. The HAZMAT team left the scene late Thursday.
The specific cause of the illnesses has not been determined. The room where the envelope was opened, located within the Air National Guard Readiness Center, remains sealed off.
Author’s summary: The suspicious-package alert at Joint Base Andrews prompted an evacuation and medical response; no immediate threat was found, but the investigation continues.