Radioactive Leak Detected at Delhi Airport
NEW DELHI: A radioactive leak from a medical consignment was detected in the cargo area of the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi this morning. Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the leak has been plugged.
Officials have emphasised that there is no need for panic. The incident has not affected airport operations. Two people who handled the consignment have been taken to hospital. Officials said the consignment of sodium iodine from Turkey meant for a private hospital, had leaked in a small area of the cargo hold and was quickly isolated. The area has been cordoned off and a team of the National Disaster Response Force or NDRF is at the spot. Atomic energy experts are on their way to the airport, Rajnath Singh said.
Officials said the leak was detected after two loaders at the airport offloaded from a Turkish Airlines plane, packages that were wet and then reported that their eyes were watering. Both the men have been taken to hospital.
The plane on which the consignment flew to Delhi from Istanbul has been isolated. The airline and the cargo company are also looking into how the leak happened. Sodium Iodine is used in the treatment of cancer.
