It’s a case that hasn’t failed to get people talking. Since Wednesday afternoon, the Colint School in Chalon-sur-Saône has been at the heart of media attention: a black powder contained in a suspicious letter, addressed to the private higher school, was at one time suspected of containing the plague . Finally, after analyzes at the laboratory of the Croix-Rousse hospital in Lyon, the tests proved negative for the plague. Stéphane Sarr, general director of the Colint School, was the first in contact with the letter. “He came from Bratislava, Slovakia. It was not an expected letter, and it was the first time we had received one from this country,” he explains. Suspicions quickly arise. “I found the packaging a little suspect. Finally, I opened it with scissors, being careful. Inside was a second envelope, marked Merry Christmas in Russian. There, I was not at all reassured,” says Stéphane Sarr.
“We were put in wetsuits”
The director then makes the decision to leave the mail. Finally, the next day, “the staff and students convinced me that it had to be opened. And there, we find a black vacuum bag, very strange, with maggots I think.” The police were quickly contacted. “They sent a team from the anti-crime squad. And then it all happened. » The firefighters intervene, with a team specializing in technological risks. “We were given tests which revealed suspicion of plague. We were put in coveralls and then isolated in my office. » Six people, including staff members, students and two police officers, find themselves confined.
Decontaminated in hospital and confined
“The sub-prefect came to see us. Then we were transferred to Chalon hospital. We went through a decontamination airlock, where our clothes were removed, we had a shower, before we were all welcomed into a room. Throughout the procedure, the firefighters, the police, the doctors, they all tried to reassure us. They were at the top. »A doctor will be responsible for questioning each person involved. “Afterwards, they let us go home and told us to stay confined until we were called. The night was short. » Finally, early in the morning, Stéphane Sarr received the liberating phone call. “I was told that the analyzes were negative. It was a relief! »
“Today, everything is fine! »
The case comes while the school “is in the middle of a commercial campaign, and we have our open day on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. We sent more than 500 emails to contacts for the event.” This is why today, Stéphane Sarr wants to reassure. “Parents sent us messages to find out how we were doing. Today, everything is fine, the school is secure, the doors are kept open. » The director of the establishment does not understand why his school received this letter. “We had no threats, no students or links with Eastern Europe. » A complaint was filed with the Chalon public prosecutor's office, which is handling the investigation.
