Radioactive Source Lost from Vaziani Military Base

(Tbilisi February 17, 2003. Civil Georgia) – Reports say today that three containers of the radioactive source of cesium-137 were lost from the military base at Vaziani, near Tbilisi.

The Georgian Defense Ministry as well as the Military Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the report.

Cesium-137 contamination can cause serious illness or death and has been associated with cancer occurring long after exposure.

Cesium-137 is of particular concern because it is a potential component of a conventional explosive device (a “dirty bomb”) containing radioactive material.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)