Amesbury couple exposed to an unknown substance near a poisoning zone of Russian espionage



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A police officer stands in front of the Amesbury Baptist Church, which was cordoned off after two people were hospitalized near Salisbury, England, on July 4th. (Henry Nicholls / Reuters)

A "major incident" early Wednesday after a man and a woman in his forties were exposed to an "unknown substance" near the historic town of Salisbury in the south of England.

Metropolitan police counterterrorism authorities were dispatched to help

Authorities said the two men, found unconscious this weekend, are in critical condition in the same hospital in Salisbury where the police said they were in danger. former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his adult daughter, Yulia, were treated after being poisoned by the neurotoxic agent of the Soviet era known as Novichok four months ago.

After a long treatment, the Skripals were released from the hospital and continue to recover in an undisclosed location, protected by the British authorities. Prime Minister Theresa May blamed Russia for the aggression of a nerve agent against the Skripals

It is not known whether there is a link between the attack of the Skripal and the Current incident. Police said tests were underway to find out what made the two people sick in the last case of suspected poisoning.

British newspapers report that samples were taken at the center British military research center at Porton Down. agent in the Skripal case

A spokesman for the prime minister said that the incident "was treated with the utmost seriousness."

A special committee of national security met on this subject Wednesday morning. According to the Wiltshire police, it is not yet known whether the two victims were victims of a crime.

Officials said the police kept "open-minded" to see where the evidence drove them.

"Emergency services were called to an address at Muggleton Road, Amesbury Saturday night (June 30) after a man and a woman The police did not say why they had waited four days before to declare a "major incident."

"Wiltshire Police and Partners have this evening reported a major incident after it is suspected that two people may have been exposed to an unknown substance in Amesbury," police said .

Amesbury is about six miles north of Salisbury. Police cordoned off several sites in Amesbury and Salisbury where they suspected the couple had visited the couple. Local journalists said the sites included a church and a park.