A radioactive capsule has been found that fell from a truck in the Australian outback, prompting a radiation alert and a search of hundreds of kilometers of road.
Western Australia’s emergency services minister said the silver capsule, which emits the isotope Cesium-137, had been located about two meters from the road.
Authorities were searching for the 6 mm by 8 mm capsule and retracing the truck’s 870-mile (1,400 km) route with radiation scanning equipment.
The capsule was being checked by the military and was due to be taken to a secure facility in Perth.
Minister Stephen Dawson called it an “extraordinary result”.
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“When you consider the scope of the search area, locating this object was a monumental challenge, search parties have literally found a needle in a haystack,” he said.
The capsule was found when a vehicle with scanning equipment picked up radiation while passing at about 70 km/h (43 mph).
People had been warned of possible radiation burns, illness and damage to their immune and gastrointestinal systems if they came within five meters of the capsule.
However, passing it was described as much lower risk, similar to having an X-ray.
It was discovered far from any community, and it is unlikely that anyone would have been exposed to its radiation, Western said. Australiahealth director of Andrew Robertson.
The search for the capsule was described as a needle in a haystack scenario
The search area covered hundreds of kilometers of highway
The capsule is owned by mining company Rio Tinto and is part of an indicator used to measure the density of iron ore.
Vibrations during shipping are believed to have caused screws and a screw to loosen from the indicator, allowing it to fall.
The search area was wide as the truck covered a distance longer than Great Britain on its journey from the Gudai-Darri mine in the remote Kimberley region to the suburbs of Perth.
Police, the Department of Defense and Australia’s nuclear agency were involved after the capsule was reported missing on January 25.
An investigation will examine the handling of the indicator and capsule at the mine
They had been traveling the state’s Great Northern Highway as well as other sections of the route used by the road train – a truck pulling several trailers.
As of Tuesday, about 410 miles (660 km) had been searched.
Rio Tinto, which handed the capsule over to another company to transport, apologized for the “very worrying” incident and said it had launched its own investigation.
Authorities are conducting their own investigation, but under state laws from 1975, the fine for mishandling radioactive substances is currently just A$1,000, and A$50 per day the offense continues.
“This number is ridiculously low,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“But I suspect it’s ridiculously low because people didn’t think this item could be lost.”
Police have considered filing possible criminal charges, but have concluded there is no case to answer.
