Latin America

Mexico finds stolen radioactive truck empty

338288_Cargo-stolen-truckMexican authorities say they have found a stolen truck that transported radioactive material, but the material is not inside the vehicle.

Nuclear Safety Director Juan Eibenschutz said on Wednesday that radioactivity was detected about one kilometer from the place where the stolen vehicle and empty container were found, adding that authorities cordoned off the area.

“The truck was found. We now have to check if the material that it was carrying is complete,” a senior official said on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk about the issue.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mexican authorities notified the IAEA that a truck transporting a “dangerous radioactive source” used for medical treatment was “stolen” on Monday.

According to the report, the radiotherapy equipment, which is commonly used for treating cancer patients, was being transported from a hospital to a waste storage site before it was reported missing.

The incident occurred near the country’s capital Mexico City.

According to the IAEA, the material was “extremely dangerous” if removed from its shielding while experts said the 60 grams of cobalt-60 inside it was enough to manufacture a “dirty bomb.”

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