LONDON, July 4. /TASS/. Two people exposed to an unknown poisoning agent in the British town of Amesbury remain in critical condition, Deputy Chief Constable Paul Mills told reporters at a briefing on Wednesday.

"The woman, aged 44, and the man, aged 45, who are both local to the Wiltshire area and are British nationals, are currently receiving treatment for suspected exposure to an unknown substance at Salisbury District Hospital. They remain in a critical condition," the policeman said.

"Further testing is now ongoing to establish the substance which led to these patients becoming ill. At this stage it is not yet clear if a crime has been committed," he added.

"Paramedics from the South Western Ambulance Service were called to an address in Muggleton Road, Amesbury on the morning of Saturday 30 June after a woman collapsed at the property. They were called back later the same day, supported by colleagues from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, following reports a man had also fallen unwell in the same location," Mills said. The policeman did not name the victims, but the TV channel Sky News reported, citing locals, that the victims are Dawn Sturgess and Charlie Rowley.

Mills reported that the police are keeping an open mind as to the circumstances regarding this incident and will continue to work closely with partners to progress the enquiries. A number of scenes, believed to be the areas the individuals frequented in the period before they fell ill, were cordoned off in and around the Amesbury and Salisbury area as a precautionary measure, he said. These include: Queen Elizabeth Gardens in Salisbury; a property at John Baker House, Rolleston Street, Salisbury; a property on Muggleton Road, Amesbury; Boots the Chemist, Stonehenge Walk, Amesbury; and Amesbury Baptist Center on Butterfield Drive, Amesbury.

The public can expect to see an increased police presence at the specified locations and in and around the Amesbury and Salisbury areas, Mills said.