Three Dead and Multiple Injured After Exposure to Unknown Substance in New Mexico

In Mountainair, New Mexico, three people have died and over a dozen emergency responders were hospitalized after exposure to an unidentified substance. The New Mexico State Police reported the incident occurred at a residence near Albuquerque on Wednesday.

Initially reported as a potential drug overdose, officers from both the state police and the Torrance County Sheriff’s Office responded to the home. There, they discovered four unresponsive individuals. Three have since been confirmed dead, according to the authorities.

Mountainair Mayor Peter Nieto shared via social media that two individuals died at the scene, while another succumbed later.

While managing the crisis, 18 emergency personnel were exposed to the substance, experiencing symptoms such as nausea and dizziness. These responders, along with the fourth person found in the house, were transported to the University of New Mexico Hospital for monitoring. The state police noted that two of the responders are in serious condition.

Authorities are conducting investigations to identify the substance responsible for the fatalities and the symptoms experienced by the responders.

The incident attracted a significant response from emergency and law enforcement teams, including the F.B.I.’s Albuquerque office. Hazmat teams from Albuquerque Fire Rescue assisted by collecting samples, identifying substances, and performing decontamination procedures.

Investigators currently believe the substance was transmitted through contact, not air. Officials have reassured the public that there is no threat.

The University of New Mexico Hospital later confirmed that 23 patients had been assessed and decontaminated. Most were released without symptoms, but three still under observation showed signs of headaches, nausea, and vomiting.

Yan Zhuang, a Times reporter based in Seoul, contributed to this report.