Nuclear body joins search for radioactive capsule

Department of Fire and Emergency Services members look for the capsule. Pic/

Australia's nuclear safety agency said on Tuesday it had joined the hunt for a tiny radioactive capsule missing somewhere in the outback, sending a team with specialised car-mounted and portable detection equipment.

Authorities have now been on a week-long search for the capsule which is believed to have fallen from a truck that made a 1,400 km (870 mile) journey in Western Australia.

The capsule, part of a gauge used to measure the density of iron ore feed, had been entrusted by Rio Tinto Ltd to a specialist contractor to transport. Rio apologised on Monday for the loss, which happened in the past two weeks.

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The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency said it was working with the government to locate the capsule. It said the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation has also sent radiation services specialists and detection and imaging equipment.

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