Dugway Bioweapons Army Base Under Lockdown

Dugway Proving Ground, in Utah’s western desert, was placed on lockdown Wednesday evening.

Al Vogel, a public affairs specialist for the installation, would only say that the lockdown began at 5:24 p.m. Employees were not allowed to leave, and those coming to work were not allowed in. Vogel said there were no injuries, no damage and no threats reported at the proving ground. There were about 1,200 to 1,400 people at Dugway when the lockdown occurred.

Dugway Proving Ground is a U.S. Army testing and training base in Tooele County where military weapons are tested.

Officials say Dugway Proving Grounds has reopened for incoming personnel, hours after it was locked down to resolve a "serious concern."

Army base spokeswoman Paula Thomas says personnel were allowed to enter the base early Thursday and preparations were under way to allow people inside to leave.

DUGWAY, Utah —
Officials say a mislabeled vial of VX nerve agent is responsible for a lockdown overnight at a Utah military base that carries out tests to protect troops against biological attacks.

Officials at Dugway Proving Ground say a inventory found there was a misplaced vial of less than 1 ml (less than one teaspoon) of VX "nerve agent." U.S. Army Col. William King at a news conference Thursday said it was originally thought the vial was missing which prompted him to lock the gates of the base. He says vial was accounted for at about 3 a.m. Thursday.