Aarhus University is evacuating two buildings in the University Park in Aarhus
The Lakeside Lecture Theatres and the Social Sciences cafeteria in the University Park in Aarhus are closed.
Update 15:25:
The order to evacuate two AU buildings has been lifted and the Eastern Jutland Police has announced that it is safe to enter both of the buildings that were closed earlier today.
---
Update 13:15:
Experts working with the police are still examining the Social Sciences canteen and the Lakeside Lecture Theatres in an attempt to determine what has caused the symptoms a number of people experienced after spending time here. We expect that this will take the rest of the day. For this reason, scheduled classes, lectures and canteen operations in these buildings have been cancelled for today.
Activities in all other buildings in the University Park can proceed as planned.
Please continue follow police instructions, and do not attempt to enter the cordoned-off area.
We will continue to provide updates on the latest developments.
---
Update 11:15:
The East Jutland Police have just announced more precise information about the area that has been cordoned off and which buildings have been closed. The Social Sciences canteen (building 1320) in the north and the Lakeside Lectures Theatres in the south have been closed, and the area between them has been cordoned off.
Students who live in the residence halls in this area may remain in these buildings. However, these buildings are within the cordon, so it isn’t possible to leave or enter this area for the time being, states the Eastern Jutland Police in a press release.
Experts from the Centre for Biosecurity and Biopreparedness and the Danish Emergency Agency’s Hazmat team are now investigating the area in an attempt to determine what has caused the symptoms some people have experienced.
Students and employees at the university have been directed not to enter the two buildings in the University Park.
“No one has been seriously injured, and fortunately, it appears that the symptoms people have experienced are mild. But we can’t rule out the possibility of some kind of chemical reaction, so naturally, we’re taking the situation seriously and have cordoned off the area. Now the experts are going to examine the area carefully, and we can expect this to will take some time,” states Assistant Commissioner at Eastern Jutland Police René Raffo.
Read more on the East Jutland Police website (In Danish only)
---
Updated 10:25:
Earlier this morning (22 October), the East Jutland Police closed the Lakeside Lecture Theatres and the Social Sciences cafeteria (buildings 1250 and 1320) as well as roads and paths around these buildings in Aarhus.
This step has been taken because different people developed the same unpleasant symptoms after spending time in these buildings.
Police are currently investigating the area.
Students will be informed directly.
Police says they are still working on the scene with other relevant authorities and were continuing to investigate the area. Follow the police's instructions and cordons. The symptoms of a group of people who have felt discomfort are itching on the skin and stinging in the eyes.
There have previously been reports that a symptom is also breathing problems. That is not the case.
Stay tuned for updates.
Press contact
Sys Christina Vestergaard
Head of press and communication
2367 0012