Supermarket evacuated after shoppers mysteriously 'collapse with breathing issues'

Several people collapsed inside a UK supermarket due to breathing issues (Representative Image)

A UK supermarket was evacuated after several people collapsed due to trouble breathing. The incident was reported from a Sainsbury's outlet in Longbridge.

Shoppers at the Sainsbury's store began to collapse on Friday morning, triggering a huge emergency response from local authorities, according to The Mirror. Seven people were treated at the scene while two others were rushed to the hospital after developing respiratory problems. One eyewitness at the store said people were lying on the floor and gasping for breath.

Birmingham Police said they were alerted to six people suffering from breathing problems at Sainsbury's supermarket in Longbridge Lane at about 10 am on Friday. Officers attended and the store was evacuated, police said.

We are currently dealing with an incident at Sainsbury's supermarket in Longbridge Lane, #Longbridge.

We were alerted at 10am to reports that six people were suffering breathing problems.

Officers attended and the store has been evacuated.

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Read more https://t.co/fcuictcZ3b pic.twitter.com/eGhodQE7V9

— Birmingham Police (@BrumPolice) May 20, 2022

The cordoned area includes neighbouring stores and properties, including a Premier Inn hotel.

The West Midlands Fire Service also mobilised crews to reach the spot.

We have a number of crews in attendance at an incident at a supermarket in Longbridge, where several people have been taken ill.

Read our statement: https://t.co/utSnVOUn93

— West Midlands Fire Service (@WestMidsFire) May 20, 2022

“Our detection equipment has highlighted nothing of concern. Sainsbury's and their own engineers will be carrying out further investigations before making a decision on reopening the #Longbridge store,” the fire service said in an update posted a few minutes ago.

The cause of the mysterious illness onset has not been determined, although an eyewitness at the scene attributed it to a gas leak. "The police said there's been an escape of gas,” the witness told a Birmingham Live reporter.