The Ponts-de-Martel Municipal Council remains “speechless”. Tuesday evening, the sessions which were to be held in the local authorities room had to be suspended, then canceled. And for good reason, around 7 p.m., those present experienced symptoms similar to those of pepper spray or tear gas. “There was no smoke or clouds, nothing visible. But there was severe itching in the respiratory tract and burning in the lungs,” explains Gian-Carlo Frosio, municipal councilor.
“Disturbing” evening
It was finally around 11 p.m. that the situation was judged to be under control. In total, four people were examined by the SMUR, but no one had to be taken to hospital. This event will nevertheless be remembered: “It’s clear that emotionally, to see the arrival of all the services concerned, it was a little disturbing,” admits Gian-Carlo Frosio.
A joker’s plan?
During their intervention on Tuesday evening, the Neuchâtel police checked all the installations in the building, but did not note any material defects. She indicates that an investigation is underway. For his part, Gian-Carlo Frosio believes that the incident could have been caused by “a joker”. He recalls that this type of event is unusual: “These are not common things in our village. There is some incivility from time to time, but nothing bad.”
Following this incident, the Ponts-de-Martel Municipal Council announced that it had filed a complaint. “Because someone will have to pay the bill,” concludes Gian-Carlo Frosio. /gjo
