This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-25212648
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Medical radioactive material truck 'stolen in Mexico' | Medical radioactive material truck 'stolen in Mexico' |
(35 minutes later) | |
A truck carrying medical radioactive material has been stolen in Mexico, the UN's nuclear watchdog says. | A truck carrying medical radioactive material has been stolen in Mexico, the UN's nuclear watchdog says. |
Mexico told the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that the truck was carrying a "dangerous radioactive source" used for cancer treatments when it was stolen on Monday. | Mexico told the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that the truck was carrying a "dangerous radioactive source" used for cancer treatments when it was stolen on Monday. |
The radiotherapy source was being taken from a hospital in the northern city of Tijuana to a waste storage centre. | |
It was stolen near the capital, Mexico City. | It was stolen near the capital, Mexico City. |
Mexico's Nuclear Security Commission said at that the time of the theft, the cobalt-60 teletherapy source was "properly shielded". | Mexico's Nuclear Security Commission said at that the time of the theft, the cobalt-60 teletherapy source was "properly shielded". |
But the commission warned it could be "extremely dangerous to a person if removed from the shielding, or if it was damaged". | But the commission warned it could be "extremely dangerous to a person if removed from the shielding, or if it was damaged". |
Local media reported that the truck, a 2.5-tonne Volkswagen Worker, was stolen by armed men at a petrol station in Tepojaco, on the outskirts of Mexico City on Monday morning. | |
Mexican police are currently conducting a search for the truck and its contents and have issued a press release to alert the public of its potential dangers. | Mexican police are currently conducting a search for the truck and its contents and have issued a press release to alert the public of its potential dangers. |
Experts have long warned about the danger posed by radioactive material used for medical treatments and research in hospitals. |