High activity radiation source found underground near Tallinn

Photo: kaitsepolitsei

The Estonian Internal Security Service (ISS) last Thursday discovered near Tallinn inside the ground an 85-kilogram container with a radiation source with high activity which is used in manufacture which contained radioactive isotope Caesium-137 (Cs-137).

The radiation of the isotope did not pose a direct threat to the environment or people. The container was checked for radiation and was thereafter transported to a hazardous waste management facility.

According to ISS they have no information which would suggest that the radioactive substance was planned to be used in an attack.

According to spokesperson for the ISS, Agnes Suurmets-Ots, the radiation source was not found accidentally. At the same time there are no suspects at the moment.

«The source of radiation was in the ground for a while, although we can't yet say for how long. The container was sealed safely and thanks to that no radiation escaped from it,» she added.

A criminal investigation was launched to identify by the ISS and it is being led by the Public Prosecutor's Office.

At present it is known that the container has never been legally used in Estonia.