Russian Barge Held Radioactive Cargo

[MIannaccone@dhhs.state.nh.us]

11:38 AM ET 10/10/00

Russian Barge Held Radioactive Cargo

        MOSCOW (AP) _ A river barge that overturned in Russia's Far East
over the weekend was carrying radioactive materials in a sealed
container, the Ministry of Emergency Situations revealed Tuesday.
        No radiation has leaked from the three-ton container holding
iridium-192, which is now resting on the bed of the Amur River near
the village of Keselevka, about 3,900 miles east of Moscow,
ministry spokesman Viktor Beltsov said.
        Russian news agencies had reported that the barge was carrying
diesel fuel in barrels when it capsized Saturday.
        Beltsov said some barrels with diesel were on board, as well as
food, consumer goods and metal. He could not say how the container
would be raised from the river bed.
        The ministry was informed of the radioactive cargo only Tuesday,
said spokeswoman Irina Andreyanova. She could not say why the ship
operators had not immediately notified her ministry, which is
partly responsible for responding to nuclear accidents.

M Iannaccone,
Health Physicist
miannacc@dhhs.state.nh.us

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