At Least 25 Hospitalized, 5 in Critical Condition After Mass Overdose in Baltimore
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First responders were dispatched to the Penn–North neighborhood after at least 25 people experienced overdose symptoms on Thursday, July 10
By Latoya Gayle
First responders were alerted to a "mass casualty event" in Baltimore on the morning of Thursday, July 10
At least 25 people had to be hospitalized, while paramedics also distributed life-saving medication to victims in the Penn–North neighborhood
“Today's mass overdose event at Penn and North serves as a powerful reminder of our city's ongoing battle against the opioid epidemic," Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates said in a statement, per local outlet WBAL TV 11
At least two dozen people had to be hospitalized amid an apparent mass overdose in Baltimore.
At around 9:25 a.m. local time on Thursday, July 10, first responders from the Baltimore City Fire Department and the Baltimore City Health Department were dispatched to the Penn–North neighborhood following reports of a “mass casualty incident involving multiple individuals exhibiting overdose symptoms,” according to Facebook posts shared by both agencies.
Paramedics were soon informed of other patients in the area, and at least 25 people had to be hospitalized, with five in critical condition, local outlet WBAL TV 11 reported. Multiple medics were put on standby to keep resources nearby as the crisis unfolded.
"This is a level one mass casualty event," Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace told the outlet. "So, for us, regardless of the nature of the call, the amount of patients scripts how we respond to this. And we've done just that."
multiple individuals experiencing overdose symptoms
First responders at the scene of a mass overdose in Baltimore.
Baltimore Police/X
Wallace told CBS News that victims of the overdose were spread across the area, saying, “Along North Avenue, along Pennsylvania Avenue, both subway platforms, and then off the beaten path along some of the alleys.”
He added that the number of hospitalizations is likely to change.
Authorities did not immediately confirm what the individuals overdosed on or their symptoms.
The Baltimore City Health Department was at the scene distributing Naloxone, otherwise known as Narcan, “a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses,” to victims, according to their Facebook post.
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Witnesses in the area alleged to CBS News affiliate WJZ that a tester drug called “New Jack City” had been given to victims that may have been laced.
“I have never seen anything like that, so maybe it is a bad batch, but at the end of the day, it’s an epidemic,” nurse practitioner Josie Dantzler told WBAL TV 11. “We deal with this every day, probably not on this high of a scale, but we go through this every day.”
Baltimore City Mayor's Office of Overdose Response executive director Sara Whaley said, "We don't know what's in the supply, and so for folks to be careful if they're using, to have Narcan available. Use with someone else. If you see someone in your community who looks like they need help, make sure they call emergency services,” per WBAL TV 11.
The Baltimore Fire Department said on Facebook that the city is being “ravaged by opioid use and fentanyl-driven overdoses,” as they called for an investment in paramedic staffing and a long-term solution to halt the crisis.
“Today’s mass casualty incident in Penn–North is a distressing reminder that Baltimore’s EMS system is nearing a breaking point,” the fire department wrote. “With rescues, sustained high-call volumes, and resource skews favoring low-acuity responses, the system can no longer absorb operational erosion.”
Along with our community partners and other city agencies, we responded to Penn and North Ave. for an incident where several individuals have reportedly overdosed.
Medication being distributed amid overdoses in Baltimore.
Baltimore City Health Department Facebook
Deputy Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Jones said the mass overdose is being treated as an active crime scene, CBS News reported. Amid their investigation, the Penn North Metro Subway station was closed, according to the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT).
Additionally, the Maryland Transit Administration rerouted some bus services, per WBAL TV 11.
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Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates praised first responders in a statement, saying, “Today's mass overdose event at Penn and North serves as a powerful reminder of our city's ongoing battle against the opioid epidemic," WBAL TV 11 reported.
“The Office of the State's Attorney for Baltimore City stands ready to support the Baltimore Police Department (BPD), Baltimore City Fire Department and the Baltimore City Health Department in their vital work to uncover how this situation unfolded,” he continued.
“Since this morning, prosecutors from my office have been in contact with and are ready to assist their counterparts at BPD who are on the scene. I commend the first responders who saved lives today, and I hold hope in my heart for the victims' swift and full recovery," Bates added.
The Baltimore Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Friday, July 11.
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