Radioactive capsule lost in Australia – the search is likely to be difficult Six years in prison for Capitol striker

In Western Australia, authorities are frantically searching for a radioactive capsule that was lost in transit from a mining site. The capsule, which is only six by eight millimeters in size, is said to lie somewhere on a trajectory of 1400 kilometers between a mine north of the mining town of Newman and Malaga, a suburb of the metropolis of Perth. The region’s health officer, Andrew Robertson, has issued an urgent health alert. Anyone who discovers something that looks like a tiny capsule must keep a distance of at least five meters.

The capsule emits “a fair amount of radiation,” Robertson said. Within a radius of one meter, this is about as high as ten X-rays in an hour – or the amount of natural radiation a human being is exposed to during an entire year. “It emits both beta and gamma rays. Getting close to her can cause skin damage, including burns,” Robertson said.

He posted a photo on Twitter showing that such a radioactive capsule is significantly smaller than a ten-cent coin. Meanwhile, it’s not even clear when exactly the little one went missing – it’s said he fell off a truck sometime after Jan. 10.

Probably loosened due to vibration

According to the information, vibration caused a bolt to loosen while driving and the capsule fell through the bolt hole. It was initially unclear why the capsule was not better secured.

The fire service, Western Australia Police, Department of Health and experts took part in the search. Car owners traveling on the Great Northern Highway were asked to check their tires, according to broadcaster ABC. The capsule may have gotten stuck there.

Radioactive capsules are used in mining. In the Newman region, where the transportation began, mainly iron ore is mined. (aeg/sda/dpa)