Military Base Evacuated After Suspicious Package Scare
A major US military installation was thrown into chaos this week after the delivery of a suspicious package containing white powder prompted a partial evacuation and sent several personnel to hospital.
The incident unfolded at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Wednesday, November 7, 2025, just after 1pm local time. Staff members who opened the package discovered the unknown substance and subsequently began to feel unwell.
Emergency Response and Hospitalisations
Emergency services, including HAZMAT teams, were immediately dispatched to the scene. Several people working at the site were transported to the Malcolm Grove Medical Center for treatment, though the precise nature of their medical condition remains unclear.
As a precautionary measure, authorities evacuated the building where the package was opened, as well as a connecting structure. Initial tests on the powder were conducted swiftly.
An initial HAZMAT test found no hazardous substances, offering a degree of relief. However, the building and the specific room where the package was opened have remained closed as the investigation continues into Thursday morning.
Ongoing Investigation and Base Significance
Investigators revealed that the suspicious package also contained 'political propaganda', according to a report from The Independent. The full contents and the motive behind the delivery are now the focus of an active investigation.
A spokesperson for Joint Base Andrews confirmed that first responders determined there were no immediate threats following their assessment. They announced that normal operations have since resumed across most of the base.
The incident highlights the high-security nature of Joint Base Andrews. The facility is of critical national importance, serving as the home for the presidential aircraft fleet, including Air Force One. It also houses a specially configured Boeing 747 that can function as an emergency nuclear command and control centre. Located near Washington DC, it is the primary departure point for the President's trips.
In a related note, Donald Trump was expected to travel through the base later on the same day the all-clear was given, en route to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
