3 Die After Suspected Exposure to Unknown Substance in New Mexico
Three people died and more than a dozen emergency workers were hospitalized Wednesday after suspected exposure to an unknown substance at a home in a small town near Albuquerque, New Mexico State Police said.
State police and Torrance County Sheriff’s Office officers responded to the home in Mountainair, NM, for what was initially reported as a possible drug overdose. State police said they found four unresponsive people inside around 11 a.m. expression. Officials added that three of the four people died.
Peter Nieto, mayor of Mountainair, about 40 miles southeast of Albuquerque, he said on social media It was learned that two people died at the scene and the other died later.
State police said 18 emergency workers were exposed to the substance while responding to the incident and began experiencing symptoms such as nausea and dizziness. These officials and the fourth person in the house were taken to the University of New Mexico Hospital for quarantine and observation, state police said, adding that the two officials were in serious condition.
Authorities said they are in the process of investigating and identifying the substance that caused the deaths in the home and the symptoms among responders.
The incident led to an incident big reaction by emergency and law enforcement teams, including the FBI’s Albuquerque office. Albuquerque Fire Rescue in question Hazardous materials teams helped collect samples, identify substances and conduct decontamination efforts.
State police said investigators believe the substance may have been transmitted through contact, but they do not believe it was transmitted through the air. Authorities said there was no danger to the public.
The University of Mexico Hospital said later Wednesday that it evaluated and disinfected 23 patients. Most of those who were asymptomatic were discharged. The hospital stated that three people showing symptoms were observed and that these people experienced headache, nausea and vomiting.
