The police went to the mosque after reports of white powder – feared anthrax powder – NRK Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio

At 21.21 the police report that the powder is not dangerous.

– We are confident and comfortable that it is a harmless substance. The tests have shown that it is not dangerous, says task leader Torleif Paulsen.

The crime scene will be opened for forensic investigations, the police report.

One of the police’s hypotheses for a long time was whether it could be anthrax powder that was sent together with a hate letter to the Eyüp Sultan mosque in Stavanger on Monday afternoon.

– We are very happy that it was harmless, but it is still the case that it has given us a new fear, says leader of the Muslim community council in Stavanger, Summer Ejaz.

The case is now being followed up.

– Tomorrow we will have an emergency meeting in the Muslim joint council. We must look at how we can create security further. We take this very seriously, he says.

The hospital called people in for work

Stavanger University Hospital implemented yellow alert due to the incident.

To NRK, the hospital says that around 30 employees were called in to deal with the incident. Both nurses, doctors, health secretaries and porters had to go to work.

– It is important to emphasize that no injuries have been reported. None show signs of symptoms. These will be followed up closely by our healthcare personnel, said deputy managing director Elisabeth Farbu in a press release the hospital published just before 8.30pm.

Farbu further says that they have a good overview and handle the operation of the emergency department.

SUS also confirms that 14 people were transported to the hospital for remediation and control.

Had a shower on the spot

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 reported just before 7pm.

NRK’s ​​reporter at the scene saw people wearing white protective suits coming out of the mosque. Several of these were children.

The police’s bomb squad arrived in Stavanger from Oslo at around 19.30.

– 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.

At 19.50 the police announced that the bomb squad was to receive a briefing before entering the mosque.

The mosque: – Got hate mail with powder

It was just before 5pm that the police cordoned off the area around the mosque in Hillevåg. Both the police, fire brigade, ambulance and chemical divers moved out.

The powder arrived in the post, and one person was in contact with the contents. There was also a letter in the envelope.

– 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.

PST assists

The Police Security Service (PST) assisted the police in Stavanger.

– We are informed by the police in Stavanger and continuously assist with what we can contribute. I don’t want to go into what, says senior adviser in PST, Eirik Veum.

The municipal management in Stavanger was also notified.

– We are notified via the emergency services and are in constant contact with the police and healthcare via our municipal doctor, said Stavanger municipal director Per Kristian Vareide.

The municipality followed the situation closely, and both the municipal director and the mayor were informed.

No emergency staff was appointed.