A MAJOR incident has been declared in Belfast after a woman claimed she had come into contact with the nerve agent Novichok.
Emergency services were called to Harper Street in the Short Strand area of east Belfast shortly after 10.15am following reports of the woman's claim.
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The contact with Novichok has not been verified.
Firefighters have cordoned off part of the street while emergency services investigate the incident.
Residents living on Harper Street have been asked to evacuate their homes as specialist teams respond.
Pictures from the scene show firefighters wearing protective equipment, with other emergency workers seen in hazmat suits.
Three ambulances and at least four fire engines were reported to be at the scene, alongside other emergency response units.
The woman's condition is not currently known.
What happened in Belfast?
Emergency services were called after a woman reportedly claimed she had been exposed to Novichok.
The Belfast Telegraph reported that the incident was being treated as a major emergency response while officers and specialist teams investigated.
Harper Street in the Short Strand area has been cordoned off, with residents asked to leave their homes as a precaution.
The presence of Novichok has not been confirmed.
Emergency crews wearing specialist protective equipment were seen at the scene as they dealt with the potential chemical contamination.
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What is Novichok?
Novichok is the name given to a family of highly toxic nerve agents developed as chemical weapons.
The word Novichok is Russian for "newcomer".
Nerve agents such as Novichok interfere with the normal functioning of the nervous system by blocking an important enzyme in the body.
This can cause the nervous system to become overstimulated, leading to severe and potentially life-threatening symptoms.
Exposure to a nerve agent can cause uncontrolled muscle contractions and can ultimately result in respiratory or cardiac failure.
The substances are extremely dangerous, but it is important to stress that there has been no confirmation that Novichok was actually present at the Belfast scene.
What is happening at Harper Street?
Emergency services remain at the scene as they investigate the woman's claim.
Firefighters and other specialist personnel have been using protective equipment while the area is secured.
Residents have been asked to follow instructions from emergency services and remain away from the affected area while the response continues.
The woman's condition has not yet been confirmed.
Further information is expected as emergency services establish whether there was any contact with a hazardous substance.
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