More suspicious envelopes sent to Turkish Foreign Ministry, embassies

ANKARA

Biological and chemical experts from the disaster management agency are investigating the suspicious letter sent on Oct. 30 to a building hosting the Norwegian, Mexican and Croatian embassies in Ankara.

Suspicious envelopes were sent to the Turkish Foreign Ministry and a building hosting three embassies in Ankara on Oct. 30, days after a substance sent to western consulates in Istanbul proved to be an inoffensive material similar to chalk dust.

Biological and chemical experts from Turkey’s disaster management agency AFAD, as well as police and intelligence officers, were dispatched to the addresses that received the suspicious packages.

Officials at the Foreign Ministry said personnel working there did not open the envelope, as their suspicious were aroused by the amount of glue used to seal it.

Envelopes were also reportedly sent to the Norwegian, Mexican and Croatian embassies, which are all located in the same building in the center of Ankara, as well as at other addresses in the city.

Alarm was triggered when the consulates of Canada, Belgium, Germany, France, the United States and Hungary received similar packages last week.

The buildings were decontaminated by experts and workers who had entered into direct or indirect contact with the powder were taken to hospital as a precaution.

No biological agents such anthrax or plague were found in tests made after samples were collected. Despite the results coming back negative, the Turkish Foreign Ministry warned all foreign missions to be vigilant regarding all packages that they receive.

The authorities have opened an investigation into the incidents, though no arrests have yet been made.