Traces of a radioactive substance have been found on two British Airways planes at Heathrow Airport, says BA.
Traces of a radioactive substance have been found on two British Airways planes at Heathrow Airport, says BA.
The aircraft, plus a third in Moscow, are being tested as part of the probe into the death in London of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko.
The Boeing 767s, plus a third in Moscow, are being tested as part of the probe into the death in London of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko.
Passengers who travelled on the Boeing 767s - which operated on European routes including London to Moscow - are being contacted.
BA is contacting passengers who travelled on the 120 European flights affected, including the London to Moscow route.
BA said it had been advised the risk to public health was low.
The airline said it had been advised the risk to public health was low.
BA told the BBC's Moscow bureau the third plane was currently at the city's Domodedovo airport.
BA told the BBC's Moscow bureau the third plane was currently at the city's Domodedovo airport.
A team of British experts - thought to be police experts - will go to Moscow shortly to test the plane.
A team of British experts - thought to be police experts - will go to Moscow shortly to test the plane.
BA said it had not been confirmed when the planes could have been contaminated but forensics experts were "looking back to the end of October".
The airline said it had not been confirmed when the planes could have been contaminated but forensics experts were "looking back to the end of October".
The BBC's Richard Galpin said the traces could be there through someone who had been in contact with Mr Litvinenko, or could have come from someone bringing the substance to the UK.
DESTINATIONS AFFECTED MoscowBarcelonaDusseldorfAthensLarnacaStockholmViennaFrankfurtIstanbulMadrid All flight numbers published on the BA website
BA said the initial results of the forensic tests had shown very low traces of a radioactive substance onboard two of the three aircraft.
The BBC's Richard Galpin said the traces could be there from anyone who had been in contact with Mr Litvinenko, or could have come from someone bringing the substance to the UK.
Traces of radioactive polonium-210 were discovered in Mr Litvinenko's body, when he died in London last week.
Initial results of the forensic tests had shown very low traces of a radioactive substance onboard two of the three aircraft, said BA.
Traces of radioactive polonium-210 were discovered in Mr Litvinenko's body when he died in London last week.
BA was contacted by the government on Tuesday night and took the three planes out of service to let forensic tests go ahead.
The airline said the investigation was confined to those three B767s, which would remain out of service until further notice.
Home Secretary John Reid chaired a meeting of the government's COBRA committee on Wednesday, receiving updates from police, health authorities and others on the Litvinenko case.
A Home Office spokesman said Mr Reid expected to make a statement to Parliament concerning the investigation on Thursday.
Friends have said Mr Litvinenko was poisoned because of his criticism of Russia but the Kremlin has strongly denied any involvement.
British Airways has set up a special helpline for customers in the UK on 0845 6040171 or 0191 211 3690 for international calls.
Have you been affected by this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
