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Several members of staff have been taken ill following the delivery of a package at Joint Base Andrews (Picture: Getty Images) Several people have been taken to hospital after falling ill following the arrival of a suspicious package at a US military base. Joint Base Andrews in Maryland was partially evacuated after staff opened the package and found it contained white powder. While an initial HAZMAT test found no hazardous substance, the building and room where the package was opened remains closed as of this morning. Investigators say the package also contained ‘political propaganda’, the Independent reported. Emergency services were dispatched following the incident just after 1pm yesterday. Several people working at the site were taken to be treated at the Malcolm Grove Medical Center. The exact nature of their condition is unclear. Two buildings at the air base were evacuated as a precaution, a spokesperson confirmed (Picture: NurPhoto) A spokesperson for JBA said the building containing the package and a connecting building were both evacuated as a precaution. They added: ‘First responders were dispatched to the scene, determined there were no immediate threats, and normal operations have resumed. An investigation is currently ongoing.’ Home to the fleet of presidential aircraft, including Air Force One, Joint Base One also houses the Boeing 747 which can be deployed as an emergency nuclear command and control centre. Located close to the capital, Washington DC, the base is where the president usually departs on trips. Donald Trump is expected to travel through the base today on his way to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. For more stories like this, check our news page.
