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HazMat incident at YVR

UPDATE: 7:30 p.m.

Two people were sent to hospital after exposure to an unidentified powder at Canada Post's YVR sorting centre on Tuesday. 

Fourteen people were exposed to the powder, including two Canada Border Services agents who were taken away on stretchers. 

The CBSA is investigating the incident, though it has yet to be determined what the powder was. Richmond firefighters said it was not a biohazard or narcotic.

The package was found in the international side of the sorting centre.


ORIGINAL: 4:45 p.m.

Police and firefighters are responding to a possible HazMat situation at Vancouver International Airport.

CTV reports at least two people have been loaded into ambulances on stretchers at Canada Post's YVR sorting facility.

Aerial photos from CTV's Chopper 9 show a large emergency presence with at least eight fire, police and ambulance vehicles on scene.

Firefighters were also seen being hosed down, an unusual situation usually associated with hazardous materials exposure.

RCMP have so far said only that officers are assisting firefighters with a situation at the Richmond facility. 

Several people apparently felt ill, and the building was evacuated.

– with files from CTV Vancouver



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