Having found a parcel at the city's main airport, six US Soldiers and a Turk who had been quarantined and placed under supervision at a hospital have now been discharged. The suspicious powder which was found after examination came out to be harmless, which led to the discharge of these seven men.

The Turkish health ministry said, “The analysis established that the suspicious powder did not contain a biological agent. The discharge of the seven persons... is under way”.

These seven men had been quarantined as they were suspicious that the substance found could be anthrax said the Turkish health ministry. This substance had been found by one of the soldiers who happened to open the parcel. This soldier had been assigned the duty to bring the parcel from the Ataturk Airport.

Deborah Guido, the U. S. Embassy Spokeswoman, said that the laboratory results were still being awaited and once they would be declared the whole matter would be clear, the results were likely to be released by Saturday.

He further added that the seven men were under supervision at a hospital in Istanbul, and the area too had been decontaminated. While the Health Ministry took an immediate action after the package was found, the Americans have requested for assistance and have also notified the Ataturk airport's administration.