White powder in package prompts evacuation at Joint Base Andrews

Several people at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland fell ill Thursday after opening a suspicious package containing a white powder, prompting the evacuation of a building, the establishment of a security cordon and an on-base medical response, base officials said. Those who reported symptoms were evaluated and treated at the Malcolm Grow Medical Center and were later reported in stable condition and released, officials said.

A base statement said an individual opened the package inside a room at the Air National Guard Readiness Center, leading to the evacuation of that building and a connecting structure. "As a precaution, the building and connecting building were evacuated, and a cordon was established around the area," the statement said. First responders from Joint Base Andrews assessed the scene, determined there were no immediate threats and turned the matter over to the Office of Special Investigations, the statement added.

Initial field testing by a HAZMAT team did not detect hazardous substances, officials said, but the investigation into the package and the illnesses remains ongoing. Investigators are also reviewing printed materials that were found with the package,...