nuclear-news

Russia declares ‘state of emergency’ after radiation detected in eastern city of Khabarovsk

Authorities in Russia’s far eastern city of Khabarovsk have declared a state of emergency in an area where a “radiation source” was found, TASS news agency reported on Friday, adding that elevated radiation levels were detected near a power pylon about 2.5 km (1.5 miles) from residential buildings.

Officials have not provided an explanation for the leak but have confirmed its containment and transfer to a secure radioactive waste storage site. A state of emergency is to persist for a minimum of three additional days as law enforcement continues investigations into the incident.

Reports indicate a delay of approximately one week before authorities responded to the leak. Video footage has surfaced depicting an individual in a nuclear protective mask, carrying a radiation reader, which displayed escalating readings as he traversed a designated “waste dump” area.

No one had been injured or exposed to radiation and “there is no threat to the health of citizens”, TASS quoted the local branch of Russia’s consumer safety watchdog as saying.

It said radiation levels would be monitored for the next two days and the source of the radiation would be investigated.

April 6, 2024 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | radiation, Russia