Radioactive material stolen in Mexico
Not the first time it has happened, but…
Just open up the border, eh, Joe…
A truck carrying highly radioactive materials has been stolen by armed criminals in central Mexico, The Independent reports.
The Mexican government is now warning that anybody who comes in close contact with its deadly payload could be risking their lives.
The individuals got away with an industrial inspection equipment truck during an armed heist on Sunday in the town of Teoloyucan. Included in the bounty is a QSA Delta 800 gamma ray projector that holds radioactive iridium-192, selenium-75 and ytterbium-169 isotopes — a highly unusual bounty for any hijacker.
It’s still unclear why they targeted the truck in question, but during a previous robbery involving radioactive waste, Mexican authorities feared the ingredients may be used to build a dirty bomb.
https://futurism.com/the-byte/someone-stole-truck-deadly-radioactive-materials
URGENT! ALERT FOR RADIOACTIVE SOURCE STOLEN IN NATIONAL TERRITORY
To the Civil Protection Units of the State of Mexico, Mexico City, Hidalgo, Querétaro, Michoacán, Guerrero, Morelos, Puebla and Tlaxcala
An industrial radiography equipment, with a high risk to health if the radioactive source is extracted from its container, was violently robbed around 05:00 hours on the entrance road to the municipality of Teoloyucan, State of Mexico.
This Sunday, the National Commission for Nuclear Safety and Safeguards (CNSNS) reported to the National Civil Protection Coordination (CNPC) on the extraction.
For this reason, the CNPC issued an alert directed to the Civil Protection Units of the State of Mexico, Mexico City, Hidalgo, Querétaro, Michoacán, Guerrero, Morelos, Puebla and Tlaxcala.
In addition to the federal agencies of national security of the National Civil Protection System to trigger the search and protection protocols for the population.
“If the radioactive source is removed from its container, is manipulated or has direct contact with it for a few minutes to hours, it can cause permanent injuries.
“In case of remaining in direct contact with the source for hours or days, its effects can be fatal”, it is indicated in the Alert report.
The stolen industrial radiography equipment is brand QSA GLOBAL, model DELTA 880, with serial number D12791, property of the company GARANTÍA DE CALIDAD, SA DE CV
This container houses a radioactive source of Iridium-192 with serial number TT3303, with an activity of 68.89 Curies. The equipment was stolen along with the pick-up vehicle, Toyota Hilux, model 2016 and with license plate number NRU3128.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency it has a category 2, for which it is reiterated that if the source is extracted it can cause permanent injuries and its direct contact for hours or days can have fatal effects.
In case of locating the source, no manipulation of the equipment should be carried out, nor should you stay near it; establish a security perimeter and guard with a minimum radius of 30 meters; notify the finding immediately to the federal law enforcement authority.
https://www.gob.mx/sspc/prensa/urgente-alerta-por-fuente-radiactiva-robada-en-territorio-nacional
