'Chemical warfare' threat prompts evacuation at Yale New Haven Hospital

Yale New Haven (Conn.) Hospital evacuated part of its emergency department Nov. 25 due to a potential hazmat situation, reports NBC Connecticut.

The incident occurred after a man became disgruntled in the ED's waiting room. He pulled a stained towel from his backpack and threw it on a desk in front of a hospital employee, saying it was "chemical warfare."

The hospital evacuated about 35 people from the ED, and three individuals underwent decontamination protocols as a precaution.

Preliminary testing did not identify any dangerous substances on the towel, although additional testing is ongoing, according to New Haven Fire Chief John Alston Jr.

The man left the scene after the incident occurred, and authorities are still looking for him. Yale New Haven's ED is functioning normally.

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