– One of the police’s hypotheses is that it could be anthrax powder that was delivered in a package to the Eyüp Sultan mosque in Stavanger, says operations manager Steinar Knudsen.
The fire service has assisted the police in setting up a so-called cleaning procedure tent at the site. One person has showered, got clean clothes and has been sent to Stavanger University Hospital for a check-up, the police report shortly before 7pm.
Other people in the mosque will be given new clothes and taken to SUS for a check.
So far, six people have come out of the mosque. Several of these are children.
Originally there were 14 people inside the mosque.
The police bomb squad is on its way from Oslo and is expected to arrive around 19.30.
The mosque: – Got hate mail with powder
It was just before 5pm that the police cordoned off the area around the mosque in Hillevåg after finding the powder.
The powder arrived in the mail.
One person has been in contact with the package’s contents, but no injuries or symptoms of any kind have been reported.
SUS currently does not want to say anything about the situation and refers to the police.
The area around the mosque has both shops and a fitness centre.
Photo: Fride Audunsdotter Westvik / NRK
– We received a letter in the mailbox of the mosque with some hate messages and a white powder inside. We have received some hate messages a few years ago, but not like this, says chairman of the Rogaland Islamic Community Association, Ahmet Coksurer.
He says he is glad the police are treating this as a threatening situation.
Don’t know when they will get an answer
Both the police, fire brigade, ambulance and chemical divers are on the scene.
– They have the expertise to secure the substance and have it sent to the Institute of Public Health, says operations manager in the South-West police district Steinar Knudsen.
The police do not consider that there is a danger to the public, but they have asked for assistance from national resources to handle the package in the best possible way.
Knudsen cannot say anything about when they will get an answer as to what the powder contains.
If it turns out to be anthrax powder, it is a powder that contains anthrax bacteria that can cause serious infectious disease.
The police have cordoned off the area around the mosque. As long as you stay outside the barriers, there is no danger, says task leader Torleif Trulsen.
Photo: Fride Audunsdotter Westvik / NRK
PST assists
Senior adviser in the Police’s security service, Eirik Veum, tells NRK that they are assisting the police in Stavanger.
– We are informed by the police in Stavanger and continuously assist them with what we can contribute. I don’t want to go into what we assist with, he says
The municipal management in Stavanger has also been notified.
– We are notified via the emergency services and are in constant contact with the police and healthcare via our municipal doctor, says Stavanger municipal director Per Kristian Vareide.
Municipal director in Stavanger, Per Kristian Vareide.
Photo: Marte Skodje / NRK
He says they are following the situation closely and that both he and the mayor are informed.
There is no crisis staff.
Tags: police rushed mosque reports white powder anthrax powder NRK Rogaland Local news radio
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