24 Aug 2018 | 10:52 AM UTC
Malaysia: Radioactive device reported missing August 23
Special task force created August 23 to locate a radioactive device that went missing on its way to Kuala Lumpur; expect stricter vehicle controls
Event
On Thursday, August 23, Malaysian authorities set up a special task force to locate a 23-kg (50-lb) device containing an unknown amount of radioactive iridium that went missing from a pickup truck earlier in the day. The incident occurred during a journey from Seremban to Shah Alam (outskirts of Kuala Lumpur), a 60-km (37-mi) distance. In nearby neighboring Singapore, authorities have stepped up searches at border checkpoints with Malaysia, using scanners and hand-held detectors to screen for radiation levels on cargo, vehicles, and travelers entering the city-state.
Context
According to the UN atomic agency, in theory, any radioactive material could be used by militants to build a crude nuclear device, or "dirty bomb."
Advice
Individuals present in Malaysia - notably those heading by car to Singapore - should be prepared for stricter vehicle controls by police and immigration personnel over the coming days. Adhere to any instructions issued by local authorities.
