Mystery Substance Mars Mexican President's Visit
Calgary, Alberta (Canada):
Police and fire officials cordoned off the biosciences centre at the University of Calgary on Thursday after a suspicious envelope was opened in advance of a scheduled visit by Mexican President Vicente Fox.
Two people were taken to hospital with signs of sickness after the package was found around 11 a.m., Calgary police said.
“We're treating it as a potential chemical agent or something along that line,” said Insp. Steve Barlow.
A 50-year-old man opened the envelope and immediately began vomiting, had shortness of breath and became dizzy.
“There was an unknown substance in the envelope, so due to a health concern they ramped it up to a full haz-mat (hazardous materials) call,” said John Conley, spokesman for the Calgary Fire Department.
“We've got our crews inside trying to determine what kind of substance we're dealing with. You begin by eliminating some of the more toxic things you may be dealing with and try and narrow it down to possibilities,” he said.
Eleven people were treated at the scene for throat irritations. Two of them, the man who opened the envelope and a 27-year-old woman, were transported to hospital.
“Their conditions are not considered life-threatening,” said Dallas Pierson, an official with Calgary Emergency Medical Service.
“But they did require treatment and that is why they were transported to Foothills Medical Centre,” he said.
Police wouldn't speculate on whether the package had anything to do with Mr. Fox's visit.
President Fox was attending a luncheon hosted by the Alberta government before heading to the University of Calgary's Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy.
He was scheduled to meet with university researchers working on leading-edge oil exploration and improving oil recovery techniques.
Sept 29, 2005
Bill Graveland, Canadian Press
Calgary, Alberta (Canada):Police and fire officials cordoned off the biosciences centre at the University of Calgary on Thursday after a suspicious envelope was opened in advance of a scheduled visit by Mexican President Vicente Fox.
Two people were taken to hospital with signs of sickness after the package was found around 11 a.m., Calgary police said.
“We're treating it as a potential chemical agent or something along that line,” said Insp. Steve Barlow.
A 50-year-old man opened the envelope and immediately began vomiting, had shortness of breath and became dizzy.
“There was an unknown substance in the envelope, so due to a health concern they ramped it up to a full haz-mat (hazardous materials) call,” said John Conley, spokesman for the Calgary Fire Department.
“We've got our crews inside trying to determine what kind of substance we're dealing with. You begin by eliminating some of the more toxic things you may be dealing with and try and narrow it down to possibilities,” he said.
Eleven people were treated at the scene for throat irritations. Two of them, the man who opened the envelope and a 27-year-old woman, were transported to hospital.
“Their conditions are not considered life-threatening,” said Dallas Pierson, an official with Calgary Emergency Medical Service.
“But they did require treatment and that is why they were transported to Foothills Medical Centre,” he said.
Police wouldn't speculate on whether the package had anything to do with Mr. Fox's visit.
President Fox was attending a luncheon hosted by the Alberta government before heading to the University of Calgary's Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy.
He was scheduled to meet with university researchers working on leading-edge oil exploration and improving oil recovery techniques.
Sept 29, 2005
Bill Graveland, Canadian Press
