Dirty Bomb Warning For Olympics
May 21, 2008 by national
Filed under World Report
The Beijing Olympics in August could be a target for terrorists using radioactive materials, the UN nuclear watchdog has told the BBC.
The International Atomic Energy Agency says a group might try to release radioactivity at an Olympic venue, possibly using a “dirty bomb”.
However, the IAEA says there is no specific information suggesting an imminent attack on the Beijing games.
The IAEA warning comes as it conducts a training exercise in China’s capital.
London Threat
The agency says intelligence shows that terrorists are trying to obtain nuclear materials.
Its concern is that they might try to use a “dirty bomb” with conventional explosives in Beijing.
“There is a threat at some level that these [radioactive] materials could be used,” said Dr Anita Nilsson, the IAEA’s head of nuclear security.
