Sections of Brussels' largest mosque were sealed off Thursday and a handful of people were decontaminated after a white powder was found. The powder was discovered in a package delivered to the mosque and authorities were alerted by the person who opened it.
A number of emergency service vehicles were present outside the Islamic and Cultural Centre of Belgium on Thursday afternoon, which is located 200 meters from the European Commission in Brussels.
Seven people, who were not suffering any symptoms, were decontaminated at the scene, public broadcaster RTBF reported. The Associated Press said 11 people were decontaminated.
Hazmat suit at Brussels Grand Mosque pic.twitter.com/PE9lt4N2hE— Danny Kemp (@dannyctkemp) November 26, 2015
Alerte Anthrax à la Grande Mosquée de Bruxelles pic.twitter.com/OldGKdSNZ0— Romain Adam (@RomainAdam) November 26, 2015
After several hours, during which the powder was tested, it was found to be non-threatening, likely being flour or talc.
MORE: Powder at mosque was believed to be flour or talc: spokesman for Brussels firefighters https://t.co/TTZFgsHftv pic.twitter.com/Dcpv0PVNGM— ABC News (@ABC) November 26, 2015
Also on Thursday, Belgium lowered its terror threat level for Brussels, from level 4 to level 3.
JUST IN: Terror alert for Brussels to be lowered from highest level, formal announcement later Thurs. - DJ, quoting Belgium crisis center— CNBC Now (@CNBCnow) November 26, 2015
The threat alert level in Brussels had been at maximum since Saturday, with children only returning to school and the city's metro system getting back to normal on Wednesday. Authorities are still hunting for one of the suspects involved in the Nov. 13 attacks in Paris that left 130 people dead.
UPDATED (11:20 AM EST): Updated with test results on powder, lowered threat level
Additional reporting by The Associated Press.