White powder in envelope in Ostend turns out to be flour
The Ostend police received an envelope from the Postal Service sorting center on Friday containing white powder. The reception of the sorting center was hermetically sealed, but now that it turns out that the powder is just flour, it is open again.
Quarantine and medical control
After the letter was discovered and brought to the police, according to protocol, the reception with the letter and the reception staff had to be immediately placed in quarantine. The Civil Protection then arrived on site to take the letter and have it examined by a laboratory. The staff was allowed to return to work after a medical check and a shower.
Sender wanted
The reception remained closed yesterday until there was more clarity about the type of white powder. The lab report now shows that there was simply flour in the envelope. In the meantime, the reception is open again. Further investigation will reveal where the letter was delivered and if the sender is found, an official report will follow.