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US embassy in Stockholm evacuated

Published: 17 Oct 12 12:18 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/43876/20121017/

The US embassy in Stockholm was evacuated on Wednesday with Swedish emergency services and police on the scene, investigating what media has referred to as a mystery letter containing "an unidentified white powder".

"There has been a potential security incident that we are investigating and we have temporarily been evacuated," said Jeff Andersson, spokesperson for the embassy to The Local.

"This happened in the last couple of hours and we are working with Swedish authorities to investigate the incident."

According to the Stockholm emergency services, a "white powder" was found in an envelope sent to the embassy.

“I can confirm that there was a white powder in the envelope. It will be analyzed today or tomorrow, but for now, no one knows what it is,” explained Albin Näverberg of the Stockholm police to The Local.

“Right now, the police are on the scene and they have secured the envelope and are in the process of taking it outside safely.”

When asked to confirm that an unidentified white powder was the cause of the evacuation, embassy spokesperson Anderson remained staunch.

“I have nothing to say other than that there has been a potential security incident. That’s all I can say at this time,” he told The Local.

According to Anderson, there are no known threats directed against the embassy.

In total, some 170 people are employed at the US embassy but it remains unclear how many of them were there at the time of Wednesday's evacuation.

Soon after 2pm, the police lifted their barricades and staff members were allowed to return to the embassy.

Oliver Gee
twitter.com/theuppsalakoala

The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)

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13:27 October 17, 2012 by Araneatrox
Seems a bit drastic for a single envelope of cocaine(?)
14:04 October 17, 2012 by Vietvet
After 9/11, there were many instances of anthrax being sent to people in and around Washington. So, if you work in the US governement, you see a letter with an unknown white powder, you take no risks.
15:21 October 17, 2012 by rise
Anthrax was my first thought also. It is lethal for both humans and animals.

There is a vaccin against anthrax, but how many have taken it anyway?
20:14 October 19, 2012 by sgt_doom
@2, Vietvet --- true, but those weaponized (highly processed super-fine dust) envelopes of anthrax originated form Dynport facility outside Ft. Detrick, Md., USA --- and mostly endangerd postal workers and only several democratic congressmen.

Someone entirely different is probably sending baking soda to the US embassy in Sweden, perhaps G4S, looking for some new contracts?????
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