This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.

Radioactive Leak At Delhi's IGI Airport's Cargo Terminal

Radioactive Leak At Delhi's IGI Airport's Cargo Terminal
rajkumar1220/Flickr

A leak of radioactive substance, which had come from Turkey, was detected at the cargo complex of the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) here today.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, while addressing a press conference here, said the leakage has been "plugged."

A team of atomic energy department has also reached the spot, the Home Minister said.

Sources said about four packets, out of the total ten, of a yellow-coloured liquid was suspected to have spread out of its sanitised container after the consignment landed at the cargo area of the airport at about 4:35 AM after which a special squad of the National Disaster Response Force team was called in to check and contain it.

NDRF chief O P Singh said a special ten-member team from its base in Dwarka has been rushed to the spot and is "sanitising" the area.

"Radioactive leak very very small. There is nothing to panic and there is no effect on the passenger area," Singh said.

The cargo complex has been vacated by the officials as a preventive measure.

Airport officials said the material was imported for use in medical purpose by a multi-speciality hospital.

The packets, containing the material, bore the markings class-II liquid and a chemical component of Sodium.

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), which operates the airport, said in a statement that there is no risk of exposure to any passenger as the area from where the leak of radioactive substance has been reported is far away from any of the passenger terminals.

"A medical consignment of material suspected to be of radioactive nature was reported at the cargo terminal of Delhi Airport this morning. A team from Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are at the site and making arrangements for removal of the material," DIAL said.

This area is far away from any of the passenger terminals and there is absolutely no risk of exposure to any passengers, the statement said.

The said area has been cordoned off and as per the preliminary assessment given by AMD the material has been termed as that of low radio activity- Sodium Iodide Liquid Class 7 meant for medicinal use, the airport operator said.

Contact HuffPost India

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.