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US consulate in Hong Kong closes, suspends visa applications after suspicious white powder found

Discovery sparks evacuation of staff and visitors but investigations later show substance is ‘not harmful’

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Police investigating at the US consulate on Garden Road in Central on Monday after a white powder was found inside. Photo: Sam Tsang

The US consulate in Hong Kong closed on Monday after a suspicious white powder was found, cancelling visa applications for the day.

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Investigations later showed the substance was not harmful, according to a police source. Authorities are still examining its nature and origin.

Emergency personnel were sent to the consulate’s Garden Road compound in Central after staff called police at about 9.15am.

Investigators wearing chemical protection gear were also sent to investigate inside the office, and officers from the force’s bomb disposal unit assisted in the investigation.

Security guards at the entrance of the consulate. Photo: Sam Tsang
Security guards at the entrance of the consulate. Photo: Sam Tsang
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Initial information showed a very small quantity of an unidentified white powder was found at one of the counters where visitors hand in visa applications to consular staff, the police source said.

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