Truck with radioactive material stolen in Mexico

[AdamG]

News turns Tom Clancy, while Marvel Comics waits with baited breath.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/12/04/248737662/radioactive-truck-goes-missing-in-mexico-alerts-are-issued

At least the Cartels now know what they've stolen, and the potential forthwith.

[davidbfpo]

Adam,

Given the widespread use of such radioactive sources, not just for medical purposes, it is remarkable how few incidents have been reported.

Mexico is relatively stable unlike some places.

Years ago there was a YouTube clip IIRC of a post-Soviet era recovery of radioactive sources, the crew had very, very basic equipment - long handled ladles - to scoop up the containers. At least Mexico has "Uncle Sam" who can help with more than ladles!

[AdamG]

Yup, the weather stations in Georgia and remote parts of the old Soviet Union being a start.

Meanwhile, supposedly all the materials were recovered while the thieves are doooooomed.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/stolen-cobalt-60-found-in-mexico-curious-thieves-likely-doomed/2013/12/05/262ef990-5d66-11e3-8d24-31c016b976b2_story.html

[ganulv]

Meanwhile, supposedly all the materials were recovered while the thieves are doooooomed.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/stolen-cobalt-60-found-in-mexico-curious-thieves-likely-doomed/2013/12/05/262ef990-5d66-11e3-8d24-31c016b976b2_story.html

Sounds like a supervillain origin story to me.

[AdamG]

Sounds like a supervillain origin story to me.

El Nuklearo!

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4qumONXWe4/TzQkfTvCR4I/AAAAAAAAAE4/BDIBgy7k3EM/s1600/1717-lucha+ilbre.jpg

Meanwhile, around the globe...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/12/06/this-alarming-map-shows-dozens-of-nuclear-materials-thefts-and-losses-every-year/



This week's incident in Mexico, in which highly lethal cobalt-60 was stolen in a truck theft and not recovered for two days, may have been unusually disquieting, but it was not unusual. Nuclear material is stolen or lost two to four dozen times a year every year. Sometimes small amounts, sometimes large. It happens an awful lot in Russia and other former Soviet states; it happens in poorer, nuclear-capable countries such as Mexico, India and South Africa; and you'd better believe it happens in rich countries, as well, particularly in France.

[ganulv]

A bilingual cuento, nice.