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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: jimmy olsen on December 05, 2013, 08:53:24 PM

Title: Theives steal truck carrying Cobalt 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: jimmy olsen on December 05, 2013, 08:53:24 PM
These guys are fucked!

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/12/04/21750977-truck-carrying-extremely-dangerous-radioactive-material-found-after-it-was-stolen-in-mexico
QuoteTruck carrying 'extremely dangerous' radioactive material found after it was stolen in Mexico

By Pete Williams and Alexander Smith, NBC News

A truck carrying "extremely dangerous" radioactive material was found Wednesday close to the place where it was stolen in Mexico, authorities said. The cargo was found about half a mile from the container.

The vehicle was transporting radiotherapy equipment containing the radioactive isotope cobalt-60 from a hospital to a waste storage center, the International Atomic Energy Agency said.

"At the time the truck was stolen, the source was properly shielded," the IAEA said in a statement. "However, the source could be extremely dangerous to a person if removed from the shielding, or if it was damaged."

The thieves likely opened the container not knowing what it was carrying and burned themselves, Juan Eibenschutz, general director of Mexico's National Commission of Nuclear Security and Safeguards, told NBC News. The thieves are likely either dead or dying following the incident, Eibenschutz added.

Officials have closed off the area where the radioactive material was found. They are conducting tests to determine when it is safe to approach it.

The vehicle is a 2.5-ton Volkswagen truck with an integrated crane. It was stolen on Monday at a gas station in Tepojaco, near Mexico City.

Mexico's federal, state, and local authorities were involved in a widespread and coordinated hunt for the vehicle across several states, the CNSNS said.

U.S. officials say it's not at all clear why it had been stolen, adding that there was no indication it had been taken for any criminal or terrorist purpose.

"It could be," one federal official said, "that whoever stole the truck had no idea what was inside and was more interested in getting a truck."

One law enforcement official says the radioactive material the truck was carrying is a thumb-sized amount of cobalt-60, used in medical treatments.

"It would be extremely dangerous to anyone who tried to grind it up for use in a dirty bomb," the official said.

The main concern of authorities was that the material in the stolen truck is dangerous to handle. In addition, it could also be used to make a radioactive dirty bomb, as could all similar materials used in medicine and industry.

At the same time, U.S. officials say cobalt-60 is among the materials that would be hardest to disperse over a wide area, assuming such a device could be made.

According to safety guidelines on the IAEA website, a "malevolent use of radioactive sources...could also cause significant social, psychological and economic impacts."

There also are many documented cases of people unwittingly stealing or acquiring radioactive material and then becoming ill or dying.

IAEA spokeswoman Gill Tudor told NBC News: "Such thefts are not uncommon, and the thieves do not necessarily know what they have in their possession in addition to the vehicle that may have been the original target.

"In some cases, for example, radioactive sources have ended up being sold as scrap, causing serious health consequences for people who unknowingly come into contact with it."

NBC News' Victoria Moll-Ramirez contributed to this report.
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Colbat 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: 11B4V on December 05, 2013, 09:10:03 PM
YOUR SLOW.
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Colbat 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: dps on December 05, 2013, 09:11:47 PM
QuoteThe thieves are likely either dead or dying following the incident, Eibenschutz added.

I don't really have a problem with that, as long as innocent bystanders weren't exposed.

QuoteU.S. officials say it's not at all clear why it had been stolen, adding that there was no indication it had been taken for any criminal or terrorist purpose.

"It could be," one federal official said, "that whoever stole the truck had no idea what was inside and was more interested in getting a truck."

Uh, stealing a truck is criminal in and of itself, ya dum Fed.
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Colbat 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: DGuller on December 05, 2013, 10:17:21 PM
Our very own Tim discovers a new element.  :w00t:
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Colbat 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 05, 2013, 10:18:57 PM
Quote from: 11B4V on December 05, 2013, 09:10:03 PM
YOUR SLOW.

MY WHAT?
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Colbat 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: garbon on December 05, 2013, 10:31:24 PM
I'd assumed the people who took it knew what they were taking. :blush:
Title: Eeek.
Post by: mongers on December 05, 2013, 10:37:04 PM
Maybe someone had dusted off plans for a cobalt 60 'salted' hydrogen bomb ?  :ph34r:
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Colbat 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: 11B4V on December 05, 2013, 10:41:13 PM
Quote from: garbon on December 05, 2013, 10:31:24 PM
I'd assumed the people who took it knew what they were taking. :blush:

That's the funny part of it.
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Colbat 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: 11B4V on December 05, 2013, 10:44:34 PM
yellow and magenta, yellow and magenta.... :lol:
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Colbat 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: Tonitrus on December 05, 2013, 10:59:27 PM
Hopefully they're not pulling out their hair over this.
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Colbat 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: Siege on December 05, 2013, 11:09:36 PM
Inside job to gather fuel for the Mexican nuclear submarine project.

Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Colbat 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: jimmy olsen on December 06, 2013, 08:43:29 AM
Languish has grown soft. Not nearly as much gloating over their demise as I expected.

If only Tuna was here to see this  :cry:
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Colbat 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: Josquius on December 06, 2013, 08:49:13 AM
:nelson: was made for this
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Colbat 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: CountDeMoney on December 06, 2013, 09:28:27 AM
Quote from: dps on December 05, 2013, 09:11:47 PM
QuoteU.S. officials say it's not at all clear why it had been stolen, adding that there was no indication it had been taken for any criminal or terrorist purpose.

"It could be," one federal official said, "that whoever stole the truck had no idea what was inside and was more interested in getting a truck."

Uh, stealing a truck is criminal in and of itself, ya dum Fed.

In 2004, this would've been a "credible, non-specific threat" that would've warranted an increase from Homeland Security Threat Level Taupe to Threat Level Ecru.
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Colbat 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: The Brain on December 06, 2013, 11:29:59 AM
I'm sure they took safety precautions and used the correct equipment for handling the source. Anything else would be racist.
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Colbat 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: grumbler on December 06, 2013, 12:04:23 PM
Apparently, the crooks have received glowing reports abut their new appearance.
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Colbat 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: Viking on December 06, 2013, 12:31:02 PM
what's a colbat?
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Colbat 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: Jacob on December 06, 2013, 12:54:32 PM
Quote from: Viking on December 06, 2013, 12:31:02 PM
what's a colbat?

It's a bat that's been promoted from Lt.Col.
Title: Eeek.
Post by: mongers on December 06, 2013, 07:18:45 PM
Six men believed to responsible, have undergone hospital tests and been handed over to police:

QuoteThe authorities in Mexico have detained six men suspected of stealing a truck earlier this week carrying medical equipment including a radioactive element.

The suspects had been admitted to a hospital in Hidalgo state with possible symptoms of radiation poisoning.

The truck was stolen on Monday as the driver made an overnight stop on the outskirts of Mexico City.

It was found abandoned two days later on a nearby field.

The Mexican authorities said the protective case containing the radioactive isotope - Cobalt-60 - had been tampered with.

Anyone who came into contact with Cobalt-60 faced life-threatening levels of radiation, officials warned.

Hospitals in the area had been told to look out for people with symptoms of radiation poisoning.

The six men, aged from 16 to 38, have undergone tests at the General Hospital of Pachuca, said Hidalgo Health Secretary Pedro Luis Noble Monterrubio.

"None are showing immediate signs of radiation poisoning," said Mr Noble.

They have been discharged by doctors but have been handed over to Mexican police.
.....

More here, including photos:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-25273457 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-25273457)
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Cobalt 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: Syt on December 06, 2013, 11:55:08 PM
So, Tim, you changed the topic title from colbat to cobalt, but it still says "theives"?
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Cobalt 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: jimmy olsen on December 07, 2013, 12:23:36 AM
Quote from: Syt on December 06, 2013, 11:55:08 PM
So, Tim, you changed the topic title from colbat to cobalt, but it still says "theives"?
:blurgh: :blurgh: You're not the boss of me!
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Cobalt 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 07, 2013, 02:58:51 AM
What did you misspell in that last post Timmy? :lol:
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Cobalt 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: The Brain on December 07, 2013, 03:08:55 AM
How many Mexicans does it take to steal a truck?
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Cobalt 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: Viking on December 07, 2013, 03:52:52 AM
Quote from: The Brain on December 07, 2013, 03:08:55 AM
How many Mexicans does it take to steal a truck?

0, it's mexico, the truck's already stolen?
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Cobalt 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: Jacob on December 07, 2013, 11:51:37 AM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on December 07, 2013, 12:23:36 AM
Quote from: Syt on December 06, 2013, 11:55:08 PM
So, Tim, you changed the topic title from colbat to cobalt, but it still says "theives"?
:blurgh: :blurgh: You're not the boss of me!

Thank god. I prefer subordinates with less abysmal spelling.
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Cobalt 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: PDH on December 07, 2013, 01:03:13 PM
I wuold liek to aply to the univresity of Woymign for a degerr in Egninering.  I am porficeint in Egnlish adn I have stdueid fuor yaers in Kroea wiht Americian techer.
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Cobalt 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: DGuller on December 07, 2013, 01:10:45 PM
Quote from: PDH on December 07, 2013, 01:03:13 PM
I wuold liek to aply to the univresity of Woymign for a degerr in Egninering.  I am porficeint in Egnlish adn I have stdueid fuor yaers in Kroea wiht Americian techer.
:XD:
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Cobalt 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: The Brain on December 07, 2013, 01:17:17 PM
Quote from: PDH on December 07, 2013, 01:03:13 PM
I wuold liek to aply to the univresity of Woymign for a degerr in Egninering.  I am porficeint in Egnlish adn I have stdueid fuor yaers in Kroea wiht Americian techer.

Monstrous.
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Cobalt 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: CountDeMoney on December 07, 2013, 01:24:17 PM
An entire generation of South Koreans, defined by their single unifying characteristic of using "ABSORUTERY APPARRING!!!  :mad: :mad: :mad:" whenever possible.
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Cobalt 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: jimmy olsen on December 07, 2013, 08:05:47 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 07, 2013, 11:51:37 AM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on December 07, 2013, 12:23:36 AM
Quote from: Syt on December 06, 2013, 11:55:08 PM
So, Tim, you changed the topic title from colbat to cobalt, but it still says "theives"?
:blurgh: :blurgh: You're not the boss of me!

Thank god. I prefer subordinates with less abysmal spelling.
I'm getting a raise next year for being a highly effective English teacher. ^_^

Test scores were up significantly this year and of the twenty contestants in the finals of the national English competition held this year in Busan, two were my students.
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Cobalt 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: CountDeMoney on December 07, 2013, 08:06:49 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on December 07, 2013, 08:05:47 PM
and of the twenty contestants in the finals of the national English competition held this year in Busan, two were my students.

Obviously not a Spelling Bee format.
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Cobalt 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: jimmy olsen on December 07, 2013, 08:08:16 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on December 07, 2013, 08:06:49 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on December 07, 2013, 08:05:47 PM
and of the twenty contestants in the finals of the national English competition held this year in Busan, two were my students.

Obviously not a Spelling Bee format.
Interviews.
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Cobalt 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: grumbler on December 07, 2013, 09:09:16 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on December 07, 2013, 08:08:16 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on December 07, 2013, 08:06:49 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on December 07, 2013, 08:05:47 PM
and of the twenty contestants in the finals of the national English competition held this year in Busan, two were my students.

Obviously not a Spelling Bee format.
Interviews.
Incomplete sentences?
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Cobalt 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: HVC on December 07, 2013, 09:12:26 PM
They have interview competitions? Weird place
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Cobalt 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 07, 2013, 09:14:01 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 07, 2013, 09:12:26 PM
They have interview competitions? Weird place

I'm guessing it's like a beauty pageant.  "What would you do to foster world peace?"
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Cobalt 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: jimmy olsen on December 07, 2013, 09:17:44 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 07, 2013, 09:14:01 PM
Quote from: HVC on December 07, 2013, 09:12:26 PM
They have interview competitions? Weird place

I'm guessing it's like a beauty pageant.  "What would you do to foster world peace?"
The questions are more specific and personal/realistic than that.

Also, they had to write essays as well.
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Cobalt 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: Eddie Teach on December 07, 2013, 09:20:28 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on December 07, 2013, 09:17:44 PM
Also, they had to write essays as well.

Do the Korean judges appreciate added redundancy?
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Cobalt 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 07, 2013, 09:25:11 PM
:face:
Title: Re: Theives steal truck carrying Cobalt 60, doom themselves to a horrifying death
Post by: Siege on December 07, 2013, 11:02:05 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 06, 2013, 12:54:32 PM
Quote from: Viking on December 06, 2013, 12:31:02 PM
what's a colbat?

It's a bat that's been promoted from Lt.Col.

Haha, I really laughed at this one.