On December 29th, London’s Heathrow Airport experienced a security alert when metal contaminated with uranium was discovered. The Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command quickly responded to the incident and launched an investigation.
The source of the uranium is believed to be Pakistan, with speculation that the contamination may have been caused by poor handling in the country. Despite the discovery, police have assured the public that there was no threat to public safety.
The contaminated metal was found in a shipment of scrap metal and a former commander of the UK’s defense forces stated that only a very small sample was discovered. Protocols for the safe handling and transport of dangerous cargo, such as uranium, were not followed in this case. Uranium, a naturally occurring element, can be refined and enriched for use in nuclear fuel for power plants or, in highly enriched forms, for nuclear weapons.
As the investigation is ongoing, no arrests have been made and the intended destination of the shipment remains unclear. While authorities assure the public that there is no direct threat, they are continuing to follow all lines of inquiry to ensure the safety of the public. It’s important to note that all the dangerous cargo, including uranium, must be handled and transported in accordance to strict protocols to ensure public safety.