Electoral Commission staff evacuated after unknown white powder found in envelope

SA’s Electoral Commission says a white powder found inside an envelope at its Hindmarsh office is not hazardous – but it remains at mystery.

Staff at the Electoral Commission of South Australia’s processing facility were evacuated this afternoon after a suspicious white powder was discovered.

Emergency services and Hazmat teams were called after reports of an envelop with a white powder inside at the Holden St centre, at Hindmarsh, at 2.15pm.

JUST IN: There has been a scare for electoral commission workers who were evacuated at Hindmarsh. Firefighters in hazmat gear were called in after an envelope containing white powder was found during council vote counting – it has since been deemed non-hazardous. #7NEWSpic.twitter.com/upU2Dgc8IK

— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) October 21, 2022

#BREAKING: An envelope containing a white substance has been found at a Electoral Commission building in Hindmarsh today.

Emergency crews and hazmat teams are on the scene, with the substance being currently screened. #9Newspic.twitter.com/2yUOEWNEAF

— 9News Adelaide (@9NewsAdel) October 21, 2022

ECSA said the envelope had been discovered at its facility, which was in the midst of counting council election votes.

ECSA has confirmed the white powder is not hazardous but there’s no idea so far what it actually is.

The substance is being screened by MFS crews. Eighteen firefighters in Hazmat suits and four fire trucks are at the scene.

Four people who touched the white substance have been decontaminated as a precaution and isolated from others.

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