The incident occurred in rural New Mexico on Wednesday, May 20, local police said
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NEED TO KNOW
- Three people died and 18 first responders have been quarantined and hospitalized after being exposed to an unknown substance when responding to reports of a drug overdose at a New Mexico home
- The incident occurred around 11:00 a.m. local time in rural Mountainair, N.M.
- Mountainair Mayor Peter Nieto confirmed in a statement that Mountainair Public Works had “already confirmed this morning that it was not carbon monoxide or related to natural gas”
Three people died and 18 first responders have been quarantined or are receiving treatment after being exposed to an unknown substance after EMS responded to reports of a possible overdose at a New Mexico home.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, May 20, in Mountainair, N.M., as New Mexico State Police (NMSP) announced in a statement on social media. NMSP was brought in to assist police from the Torrance County Sheriff's Office with "what was initially believed to be a suspected overdose involving an unidentified substance" at a residence on Hanlon Avenue at approximately 11:00 a.m. local time.
Four people were found "unresponsive" in the home, and three are now dead, per the statement. The identities of the deceased have not been publicly released yet, and the substance remains unclear.
Eighteen first responders "were exposed to the substance and began experiencing symptoms, including nausea and dizziness," according to the statement from NMSP. The home occupant and 18 first responders impacted by the exposure were transported to the University of New Mexico Hospital, where they are currently "being quarantined, evaluated, and monitored," according to the statement.
Two of the first responders are in serious condition, according to NMSP.
Albuquerque Fire Rescue HazMat teams are investigating the scene and working to identify the substance, which investigators believe can be "transmitted through contact" and not airborne.
While the investigation remains ongoing, Mountainair Mayor Peter Nieto shared that Mountainair Public Works had "already confirmed this morning that it was not carbon monoxide or related to natural gas."
"We ask for prayers for their family and friends," Nieto wrote in his statement to the community on social media, adding that three of the four EMTs from Mountainair EMS have been released from the hospital, but that EMS Chief Josh Lewis remains hospitalized.
"We are incredibly thankful that the other responders have been released," Nieto continued, "While they are not yet fully recovered, they are doing much better."
"At this time, there is no indication that this situation is airborne," Nieto said, echoing the police. "It is believed to be related to contact with a substance that may have been transferred from individual to individual."
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"Time and time again, our entire town team rises to the occasion to help our neighbors without hesitation," Nieto wrote. "I remain grateful for our dedicated team and their unwavering commitment to serving our community."
PEOPLE has reached out to NMSP for updates.
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