At least 27 people have been hospitalized in West Baltimore, Maryland, after suspected drug overdoses, CBS News reported.
Citing fire officials in the region, CBS News notes that seven people were admitted in critical condition, but there were no reports of deaths.
The incident occurred on Thursday morning.
Officials did not reveal what substances they suspect may have been used.
The United States has witnessed a rapid increase in the number of drug overdoses over the past two decades. Drug overdose deaths increased by 500% between 1999 and 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
During that period, the CDC has identified three waves of prevalent causes: the first involving prescription opioids, the second heroin, and the most recent synthetic opioids. Illegal drugs are increasingly being mixed with synthetic drugs - such as fentanyl - which increases the risk of overdose.
The Mexican government said there was "no indication" that a plane it intercepted loaded with cocaine originated in El Salvador, according to a letter published by Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, The Associated Press reported.
The letter, published on the social media platform "Ex" by the populist leader, comes after a diplomatic drama erupted between Bukele and Mexican officials when Mexico's security minister said authorities believed the plane had come from El Salvador.
The claims angered Bukele, who recalled El Salvador's ambassador to Mexico and demanded a correction from the Mexican government. Bukele has staked much of his popularity on his tough fight against crime, the AP recalls.
He responded to the claim with the word "FALSE" in an article in "Ex" detailing the plane's alleged flight path. Bukele also indicated that the three men arrested with the plane were Mexican citizens.
Mexican Security Minister Omar García Harfuchs backed down from his initial statement that the plane originated in El Salvador, later saying that Mexican authorities had detected the plane on radar as it passed the Salvadoran capital, albeit well out to sea. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Thursday that she would not enter into a dispute with her Salvadoran counterpart.
A letter released by Bukele on Friday - apparently written by the Mexican foreign minister to the Salvadoran embassy - said there was no clear evidence that the flight was operated by the Central American country, "nor that anyone in the country was connected to the incident".
The letter, dated July 11, offered to answer any other questions "that may arise on the subject" to preserve relations between the two countries, and expressed the hope "to strengthen the exchange of information to avoid similar situations in the future."
Bukele said he appreciated the clarification. El Salvador's presidential office did not confirm whether the country would send its ambassador back to Mexico, noting that "the president will make the decision."