Authorities in Western Australia have successfully recovered a tiny radioactive capsule containing Caesium-137, which had gone missing in the Australian outback. The capsule, smaller than a coin, was located after a week-long search spanning 870 miles of highway. Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson praised the search teams for finding the "needle in the haystack". The capsule has been safely removed and will be disposed of in accordance with regulations.
Posts tagged as “Western Australia”
Australian authorities are searching for a missing radioactive capsule containing Caesium-137, which fell off a truck during a 870-mile journey from Gudai-Darri mine site to Perth. The capsule is part of a gauge used to measure the density of iron ore feed and is emitting both gamma and beta rays. A team with specialized car-mounted and portable detection equipment has been sent to search for the capsule, but so far it has not been located, triggering a radiation alert for large parts of Western Australia. Rio Tinto has apologized for the incident and is supporting the search.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services in Western Australia is searching for a tiny radioactive capsule that was lost during transport from a mine to a depot in Perth. Teams have been deployed with handheld radiation detection devices and metal detectors, but they are hampered by a lack of equipment. If the capsule is not found, it could pose a serious health risk to the public.