Two collapse near previous Russian spy poisoning site
- 6 years ago
British counter-terrorism police say that a couple in their 40s who fell critically ill in south England are believed to have been exposed to a similar substance to the one used to poison a former Russian spy and his daughter four months ago. For more on the story, Lee Seung-jae reports.
British police have declared a "major incident" early Wednesday after a man and woman in their 40s are believed to have been exposed to the nerve agent Novichok, the same substance that was used to poison a former Russian spy and his daughter in a nearby area earlier this year.
"However I can confirm tonight that there has been a significant development and that the counter-terrorism policing network is now leading the investigation into this incident. This evening, I've received test results from Porton Down that showed that the two people have been exposed to the nerve agent Novichok."
The man, 45, and woman 44,- both British nationals, remain in critical condition in hospital after being found unconscious at a residential building Saturday evening.
A spokesperson for the prime minister says the incident "is being treated with the utmost seriousness",... as a special national security committee met Wednesday morning.
British police have closed off at least five different areas in Salisbury,
but stated that based on the small number of casualties,... it's not believed that there's a significant health risk to the general public.
However, residents worry,... as the latest incident echoes the poisoning of Sergei Skripal earlier this year.
Skripal,... a former Russian intelligence officer,... was convicted of spying for the British before coming to the U.K,... as part of a 2010 prisoner swap.
The former spy had been living in Salisbury,... a city located 90 miles southwest of London,... where was poisoned along with his 33-year-old daughter, who was visiting him.
It's been reported that the British couple had been visiting the historic town of Salisbury,... before being found 8 miles away in Amesbury. They are currently being treated at Salisbury District Hospital,... the same hospital where Skripal was treated.
Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.
British police have declared a "major incident" early Wednesday after a man and woman in their 40s are believed to have been exposed to the nerve agent Novichok, the same substance that was used to poison a former Russian spy and his daughter in a nearby area earlier this year.
"However I can confirm tonight that there has been a significant development and that the counter-terrorism policing network is now leading the investigation into this incident. This evening, I've received test results from Porton Down that showed that the two people have been exposed to the nerve agent Novichok."
The man, 45, and woman 44,- both British nationals, remain in critical condition in hospital after being found unconscious at a residential building Saturday evening.
A spokesperson for the prime minister says the incident "is being treated with the utmost seriousness",... as a special national security committee met Wednesday morning.
British police have closed off at least five different areas in Salisbury,
but stated that based on the small number of casualties,... it's not believed that there's a significant health risk to the general public.
However, residents worry,... as the latest incident echoes the poisoning of Sergei Skripal earlier this year.
Skripal,... a former Russian intelligence officer,... was convicted of spying for the British before coming to the U.K,... as part of a 2010 prisoner swap.
The former spy had been living in Salisbury,... a city located 90 miles southwest of London,... where was poisoned along with his 33-year-old daughter, who was visiting him.
It's been reported that the British couple had been visiting the historic town of Salisbury,... before being found 8 miles away in Amesbury. They are currently being treated at Salisbury District Hospital,... the same hospital where Skripal was treated.
Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.