Rhianna Benson
A medical investigation has been launched in Australia after five woman working in the same office were consecutively diagnosed with the same type of cancer.
The female co-workers all spent their days together in on the sixth floor of New South Wales' Liverpool City Council building between a period of 3-5 years, with a couple having since left their employment.
Since then, all five have been dealt the heartbreaking blow that they're suffering from thyroid cancer, and have begun treatment.
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An investigation carried out by the NSW Department of Health into the likelihood of a cancer cluster being present in the office is also currently underway.
The remaining officers employees - of which there are believed to be more than 40 - have since been transported to another workspace until the investigation is complete, with the sixth floor having been shut down.
A sixth member of staff was also diagnosed with this particular form of cancer, though didn't wish to partake in the enquiry.
One of the women who has tragically received the diagnoses is Jenny Havilah, who outright believes in the existence of a 'sinister' cancer cluster in her place of work.
"I'm worried about my colleagues not just on the sixth floor but that worked anywhere in that building," she previously told 9News from her bed in the region's St George's hospital.
Jenny - who has since had her thyroid removed - added: "I'll get the results in a week or so."
Speaking out on the investigation - which may well prove that the multiple diagnoses are purely coincidences - Liverpool City Council's acting CEO Jason Breton can reportedly be heard telling staff in an audience clip obtained by the outlet, that the five women are currently at different stages of the illness.
After claiming they are each 'well and working', he allegedly was later heard telling his staff: "Yes, we'll get some media about this - we'll deal with that, we have a bit of a strategy for that."
According to an official statement provided by the council to 7News, they claim to be taking the matter 'very seriously', and pledged a 'high level of concern for the welfare of its staff'.
"Future action will be based on the results of the two concurrent investigations," the statement continued.
"Our thoughts are with those affected and we wish them a prompt recovery."
In spite of the protective measures taken so far, the United Services Union (USU) has called for the potentially-hazardous building to be shut down completely.
"We’re concerned the issue may be more widespread so we’d be waiting for an independent medical assessment to unequivocally clear the area before we would be recommending our members return," USU acting general secretary Daniel Papps told 7NEWS.
"We have to remember we’re talking about a workforce that over the last couple of years has become used to remote working... so I don’t think it’s necessarily a significant stretch to say the office building itself should be cleared."
LADbible Group contacted Liverpool City Council for comment.