Breathe a sigh of relief in Western Australia: the radioactive capsule that fell from a truck during transport has been found by experts. The disappearance of the small and very dangerous part had led to a difficult search for days.
The capsule was lost in transit from a mining site. The cylindrical capsule is only six millimeters in diameter, making it smaller than a one-cent coin – making searching over a distance of 1,400 kilometers extremely difficult.
The media compared the search for the capsule to that of the proverbial needle in a haystack. Now the dangerous little thing was discovered about 50 kilometers south of the mining town of Newman, as reported by the ABC television station on Wednesday, citing the regional government.
Minister: “Localization was a monumental challenge”
The army has already verified the find and she will be taken to a secure facility in the city of Perth on Thursday, Minister Stephen Dawson said at a news conference. “Given the scope of the search area, locating this object was a monumental challenge,” Dawson said.
As expected, the pod had fallen out of a truck and landed in the ditch – there it now sat twisted. However, according to authorities, it is unlikely that contamination has occurred in the area. The capsule contains cesium-137, which produces radiation equivalent to ten X-rays per hour. The public was advised to keep five meters away in case the capsule was seen.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
