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The deadly but tiny radioactive capsule that fell from a truck on a remote desert road is miraculously found after three weeks.
- Deadly missing radioactive capsule found
- Disappeared in Western Australia
- It is believed that it fell from the truck that was transporting it.
- Rio Tinto apologized for the mistake
A tiny but deadly radioactive capsule missing in Western Australia has been miraculously found on an outback road.
WA authorities issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon stating that searchers had located and “contained” the missing “radioactive substance” for three weeks.
“The radioactive substance has been found and no longer poses a risk to the community,” the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) said in a statement.
WA authorities said the capsule (left) is similar to the size of an Australian dime (right)
A broken indicator and missing screws are to blame for the disappearance of a dangerous radioactive capsule that was lost somewhere in Western Australia (in the photo, the authorities are looking for the capsule)
The 8mm by 6mm element fell out of a density gauge while being trucked from a Rio Tinto mine in the Pilbara to Perth last month.
WA government officials said the capsule had been found on Wednesday just south of Newman on the Great Northern Highway.
The object was detected by a search vehicle traveling at 70 km/h when a specialized team detected the radiation emitted by the capsule.
Portable search equipment was then used to locate him two meters from the side of the road.
Search teams spent six days traveling a 1,400 km route amid warnings that the cesium-137 in the capsule could cause radiation burns or illness if handled and potentially dangerous radiation levels with prolonged exposure.
Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said the discovery was remarkable considering the scope of the search.
“This is an extraordinary result…they have literally found the needle in the haystack,” he told reporters.
A government investigation into the incident has been launched and a report will be provided to the health minister.
Defense officials are checking the identification of the capsule that was placed in a lead container for safety.
It will be stored in a secure location in Newman before being transported to a Perth health facility.
Health director Andy Robertson said the pod did not appear to have moved and no injuries had been reported.