Suspicious powder letter intercepted at US embassy mail depot in Belgium

By Melike Pala

BRUSSELS (AA) - A suspicious powder letter addressed to the US embassy was intercepted at a mail screening depot in Zaventem, Belgium on Wednesday, local authorities confirmed to broadcaster VRT.

The letter, which arrived at a postal facility located on Fabrieksstraat where embassy-bound mail is processed and screened, was identified as suspicious upon delivery.

Personnel immediately placed the item into a specialized containment booth equipped with an extraction system designed for the safe examination of potentially hazardous materials, officials said.

Emergency services, including firefighters, responded to the scene to conduct a safety inspection.

Belgium's Civil Protection Service later collected the letter for further analysis. No injuries were reported.

The only individual who came into contact with the envelope was wearing protective equipment at the time and has since been placed under quarantine as a precautionary measure.

All mail addressed to the US embassy is routed through the Zaventem screening center before being forwarded to the diplomatic mission.

It remains unclear what substance was in the letter or who sent it, with investigations continuing.