A yellow suitcase containing radioactive materials that had been stolen from inside a car on an industrial estate in Móstoles last Tuesday was discovered shortly after 10am this morning outside the gates of the Giner de los Ríos Junior School in Leganés.

The device for measuring ground density and humidity levels contains two low-level radioactive materials (Caesium-137 and Americium-241/ Beryllium) was found by a group of schoolchildren.

Radioactive suitcase stolen from car
By: thinkSPAIN
Wednesday, April 16, 2008

A device to measure ground density and humidity levels (photo), which contains two low-level radioactive materials (Caesium-137 and Americium-241/ Beryllium), was stolen from inside a car parked on the calle Puerto de Cotos on the Las Nieves industrial estate on the outskirts of Móstoles (Madrid) yesterday.

A spokesman for the Control, Assistance, Trials and Surveys Institute (ICAES) that owns the stolen equipment has explained that it is safe as long as it remains intact and closed.

Anyone finding the suitcase is advised not to handle it and call the authorities, police or emergency services (112) immediately.

The yellow suitcase measures approximately 80x50x50cm, and has a double security lock and is clearly labelled as containing radioactive material.

A spokesman from the National Nuclear Commission has stressed that the device could become dangerous if opened, or if the protective exterior casing gets damaged.