Several people at Air Force One base fall ill after ‘suspicious package’ opened | US News

Several people have fallen ill after a “suspicious package” containing white powder was opened at the home base for the presidential plane Air Force One, according to US media reports.

A building on the US military base was evacuated on Thursday after an individual “opened a suspicious package”, CNN reported, citing a statement from Joint Base Andrews, which is located outside the US capital, Washington DC.

“As a precaution, the building and connecting building were evacuated, and a cordon was established around the area,” the statement said.

“Joint Base Andrews first responders were dispatched to the scene, determined there were no immediate threats, and have turned the scene over to the Office of Special Investigations.

“An investigation is currently ongoing.”

Several people were taken to Malcolm Grove Medical Center on the base. The extent of their illnesses was not known.

An initial field test from the HAZMAT team did not detect anything hazardous, reported CNN.

The room where the package was opened, located in a building that houses the Air National Guard Readiness Center, remains shut.

Investigators are also assessing political propaganda that was included in the package.

Read more from Sky News:
Prince Harry apologises to Canada
A year on from Trump’s win, an untold story emerges

Joint Base Andrews in Maryland is home to military personnel and their families.

It is famously known as the home base for Air Force One, the aircraft used to transport the President of the United States.

Donald Trump and other senior political figures routinely pass through the base when travelling abroad.

Mr Trump was at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday.