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Two bodies found after chemical incident at Scotsman Hotel in Edinburgh | Two bodies found after chemical incident at Scotsman Hotel in Edinburgh |
(35 minutes later) | |
The bodies of a man and a woman have been found at an Edinburgh hotel where emergency services are dealing with an ongoing chemical incident. | The bodies of a man and a woman have been found at an Edinburgh hotel where emergency services are dealing with an ongoing chemical incident. |
The bodies were found by staff at about 12:15 at the Scotsman Hotel on North Bridge. | The bodies were found by staff at about 12:15 at the Scotsman Hotel on North Bridge. |
Police Scotland said inquiries were at an early stage and the deaths were being treated as unexplained. | Police Scotland said inquiries were at an early stage and the deaths were being treated as unexplained. |
The road is down to one lane and an area around the hotel, including the Scotsman Steps, has been cordoned off. | |
Suicide is not being ruled out by detectives. | |
Forensic tests | Forensic tests |
At least 20 firefighters were at the scene. There is not believed to be any wider risk to guests or staff at the five-star hotel as a result of the incident. The sixth floor of the hotel has been evacuated. | At least 20 firefighters were at the scene. There is not believed to be any wider risk to guests or staff at the five-star hotel as a result of the incident. The sixth floor of the hotel has been evacuated. |
The BBC's Scotland correspondent James Cook said it did not appear officers were seeking anyone else in connection with the deaths. | The BBC's Scotland correspondent James Cook said it did not appear officers were seeking anyone else in connection with the deaths. |
Speaking at the scene, Ch Insp Murray Dykes said: "At the moment we are treating the deaths as unexplained. We will be doing a full forensic recovery of the bodies and inquiries will continue later today." | Speaking at the scene, Ch Insp Murray Dykes said: "At the moment we are treating the deaths as unexplained. We will be doing a full forensic recovery of the bodies and inquiries will continue later today." |
The ages and nationalities of the deceased have yet to be established. | The ages and nationalities of the deceased have yet to be established. |
Asked about the possible chemical aspect of the incident, Ch Insp Dykes said: "There has been a hefty response for this. We're treating all things as they come in. | Asked about the possible chemical aspect of the incident, Ch Insp Dykes said: "There has been a hefty response for this. We're treating all things as they come in. |
"The reason that there has been a full turnout is because we are taking full precautions at the moment." | "The reason that there has been a full turnout is because we are taking full precautions at the moment." |
Lynn Massie, 34, and Neil Cooper, 31, from Aberdeen, are staying at the Scotsman and are waiting to collect their luggage after a two-day break. | |
Ms Massie said: "We're really shocked. I feel very sorry for the families of the two people. I don't know what happened but it's quite sad. | |
"You don't expect something like this to happen at a five-star hotel. It's a shame for the hotel staff too." | |
The Scotsman Hotel is situated just off Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a short distance from Princes Street. | The Scotsman Hotel is situated just off Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a short distance from Princes Street. |
It occupies the former Scotsman Newspaper building and opened in 2001 when the paper moved to new premises. | It occupies the former Scotsman Newspaper building and opened in 2001 when the paper moved to new premises. |
Edinburgh's summer season is under way as thousands of performers and tourists visit the Scottish capital for the Fringe Festival, which officially begins on Friday. | Edinburgh's summer season is under way as thousands of performers and tourists visit the Scottish capital for the Fringe Festival, which officially begins on Friday. |