Prisoners struck down in mass 'Easter poisoning': Major incident declared as at least 15 inmates at HMP Lewes collapse after 'eating food at a religious service' - with chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear teams on standby

At least 15 prisoners at HMP Lewes have been targeted in a mass poisoning carried out at an Easter service behind bars – with two fighting for their lives in hospital.

Inmates and prison officers suddenly fell ill at the prison in East Sussex after eating food laid out at the meeting at the jail’s chapel.

It is feared the dishes were spiked after they were prepared for the occasion, held today to mark Maundy Thursday.

A source said: ‘They all got sick after going to a religious event at a chapel service with food at the end of it.

‘A significant amount of staff and prisoners have been taken ill.

‘It’s either a case of food poisoning or spiking, but it’s happened far too quickly for it just to be food poisoning.

‘It sounds like food prepared in the kitchen has been spiked.’

As inmates and staff suddenly fell ill, the prison was plunged into lockdown. A chemical incident van was parked outside the gates with a green decontamination tent was put up outside a nearby hospital in preparation.

Police officers are currently assisting the ambulance service but it is not currently known if a criminal investigation has been opened.

Prisoners under the supervision of staff generally prepare food in prison.

‘It wouldn’t be unusual at festival times for staff to attend religious services and staff are encouraged to participate,’ the prison source said.

The Tory MP for Lewes, Maria Caulfield, said she is ‘concerned’ by the incident at the prison.

‘Emergency services are on scene and it is important to let them deal with the situation in looking after those affected,’ she wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Multiple ambulances on blue lights raced to the prison with fire crews also in attendance.

Officers from Sussex Police are assisting paramedics but is not currently known if a criminal investigation has opened.

A spokesperson for the force said: ‘Sussex Police are assisting the ambulance service following the report of a medical incident at HMP Lewes at around 12.30pm on Thursday.’

Signs were also placed outside saying the medical facility was closed due to a ‘major incident’

The hospital has since stood down with it understood the injured were instead taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton

This afternoon a chemical incident van is parked up outside the prison gates with CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) branded on the side.

A green contamination tent was also seen outside the nearby Eastbourne hospital in preparation, with signs placed outside saying the medical facility was closed due to a ‘major incident’.

The hospital has since stood down with it understood the injured were instead taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

A spokesman from East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said: ‘Earlier today, Eastbourne District General Hospital was stood up to potentially receive casualties following an incident at HMP Lewes.

‘We have now been stood down. Care at the hospital has not been affected, and continues to operate as usual’.

A spokesperson for South East Coast Ambulance Service told The Argus: ‘We can confirm we are attending an incident at HMP Lewes reported to us at approximately midday today, March 28.’

An East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: ‘The Fire Service are currently working with other agencies and specialist teams to ascertain the cause of the issue. It is understood at least eight ambulance, police and service teams at at the scene at HMP Lewes.’

HMP Lewes is graded as category B – the second most secure of the four British prison categories. The all men’s prison holds about 692 inmates.

MailOnline has contacted the Ministry of Justice and the University Hospital Sussex NHS Foundation Trust for comment.

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