New York - Letters containing white powder were sent to the US missions of France, Austria and Uzbekistan in New York City on Monday, police said.

About 40 people were decontaminated as a precaution, the majority of which were working at the French mission, a NY Police Department spokesman told Reuters.

He said the white powder from each of the letters, which were received between 4pm and 6.30pm EST (21.00 and 23.30 GMT), was being tested and that investigations were continuing.

No further details were available. - Reuters