Flour Triggers Anthrax Alert at Brussels Mosque

The mosque is just a few blocks from major European Union institutions and many embassies.

Eleven people were being tested for exposure to anthrax Thursday after envelopes containing white powder were found at Brussels’ Grand Mosque, fire brigade spokeswoman Malika Abbad told NBC News. “A parcel was found at the entrance to the mosque and found to contain white powder”. At least 11 people have been sent to decontamination units to undergo testing for the deadly disease.

Officials have not yet confirmed what the substance was, but Belgian media is reporting that envelopes of white powder were found. Multiple outlets later reported that police responders identified the powder as flour, not anthrax as feared. “There is absolutely no danger to anyone”, a fire fighter on the scene told La Libre.

“With everything else happening in Brussels at the moment I’m afraid to leave the house these days”.

Immediately after the Paris attacks on November 13, Belgium raised its security alert to Level 3 and a week later put Brussels onto maximum alert as police hunted a local suspect as well as accomplices who the government said might be planning similar attacks in Brussels. “There was the letter at the mosque in Molenbeek too and now this”, he added.

Since those attacks, which involved alleged terrorists from Belgium, a previously unknown group called Christian State has issued threats against Belgian mosques.