western australia

radioactive capsule

The metaphorical 'needle in a haystack' has been found

@JudyEv (325809)

Rockingham, Australia

February 1, 2023 2:23am CST

For a few days now, West Australians have been getting updates on the search for a 6mm x 8mm caesium-137 radioactive capsule which fell from the back of a truck. It could have been anywhere along a 1,400 km (870 miles) stretch of road somewhere between a mining site near Newman in the Pilbara and Perth. After a massive search involving over 100 people, and against all odds, the capsule has now been found. Apparently, it fell through a bolt-hole in the tray of the truck after the bolt had shaken loose and fallen out. It seems someone was a bit remiss somewhere along the line but it’s good it’s been found. Apparently, the incident got a mention on Steven Colbert’s The Late Show in the USA but I can assure you most Aussies don’t talk like that. Did anyone happen to see it? The photo isn’t from the Pilbara but shows a road which would be typical of the region.

21 people like this

20 responses

@DaddyEvil (137142)

• United States

1 Feb 23

I haven't watched television in well over 15 years. Was it an interesting show?

5 people like this

@JudyEv (325809)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 23

Not really. They were taking the mickey which is okay but I didn't find it terribly interesting. Vince thought it was funny. The search was covered every evening in our TV news.

2 people like this

@DaddyEvil (137142)

• United States

2 Feb 23

@JudyEv Oh, I see... I'm glad it was found.

1 person likes this

@vandana7 (98830)

• India

1 Feb 23

Great news...though I wish it had not fallen off in the first place. Looks like we humans are determined to create only dangerous things. LOL

3 people like this

@JudyEv (325809)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 23

We can get pretty blase about how we handle dangerous objects.

2 people like this

@LadyDuck (458192)

• Switzerland

1 Feb 23

This piece of news was in our newspapers during the past few days. It seems it was very dangerous, so I am glad it has been found.

2 people like this

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@LadyDuck (458192)

• Switzerland

2 Feb 23

@JudyEv It was so small that I still cannot believe that they have found it.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (325809)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 23

@LadyDuck It's pretty amazing. They must be heaving sighs of relief. It could have taken so much longer to find.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (325809)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 23

There seems to have been a lot of media coverage of it. For it to be located so quickly, relatively speaking, is a small miracle.

2 people like this

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@moffittjc (118448)

• Gainesville, Florida

1 Feb 23

I saw a news story about it on Facebook. I did not see the mention on the Late Show. I’m glad the capsule has been found. What was the truck driver doing with it in the first place?

2 people like this

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@moffittjc (118448)

• Gainesville, Florida

3 Feb 23

@JudyEv How dangerous could that small amount be if it fell into the wrong hands?

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (325809)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Feb 23

@moffittjc It seems it was very dangerous. I don't what they could have done with it. It was in back of beyond so only a traveller/motorist might have found it. The radioactivity contamination would have been an issue.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (325809)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 23

I gather it was part of a consignment of mining stuff coming to Perth for repairs. There is a huge investigation into how the transportation of it should have been handled better.

2 people like this

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@CarolDM (203452)

• Nashville, Tennessee

1 Feb 23

I never watch those late night tv shows. Amazing this was found. Hope all is well now.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (325809)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 23

I don't have any idea what shows are popular over there but I mentioned it in case some do watch.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (325809)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Feb 23

@CarolDM The bit I saw didn't appeal to me either.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203452)

• Nashville, Tennessee

2 Feb 23

@JudyEv Many watch that show but I just don't care for it.

1 person likes this

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John nyambegera

@thebos (5779)

• Kisumu, Kenya

1 Feb 23

Was it an interesting show?

2 people like this

@JudyEv (325809)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 23

They were making fun of the search. I didn't find it very interesting.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (325809)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Feb 23

@thebos It didn't bother me one way or the other. My husband thought it was funny.

1 person likes this

John nyambegera

@thebos (5779)

• Kisumu, Kenya

2 Feb 23

@JudyEv wow, how did you feel

1 person likes this

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@allknowing (130064)

• India

2 Feb 23

What was this tiny capsule doing at the back of a truck??

2 people like this

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@allknowing (130064)

• India

2 Feb 23

@JudyEv Its radiation capability would have had bad effects around and good it was traced at a cost though.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (325809)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 23

It was part of a bigger unit I think. There is a big investigation going on now as to how it was allowed to happen.

2 people like this

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@FourWalls (62145)

• United States

1 Feb 23

Wow! That’s as lucky as someone finding their contact lens after dropping it!! Was there any danger from the tiny capsule?

2 people like this

@JudyEv (325809)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 23

You're right. And apparently there was a lot of danger. I think they would have just kept looking until they found it.

2 people like this

@wolfgirl569 (95188)

• Marion, Ohio

1 Feb 23

I seen it. He is a comedian so does things to try to sound funny while giving the story. I am very glad it has been found

2 people like this

@JudyEv (325809)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 23

Vin thought it was funny but it didn't really appeal to me. Someone put up a link to it so we watched it.

2 people like this

@sol_cee (38223)

• Philippines

1 Feb 23

I like Stephen Colbert. Do you have a link to that?

2 people like this

@JudyEv (325809)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 23

I hope the link below works. Otherwise, if you do a search it should come up.

www.youtube.com

Your browser isn’t supported anymore. Update it to get the best YouTube experience and our latest features. Learn moreRemind me later

1 person likes this

@JamesHxstatic (29242)

• Eugene, Oregon

2 Feb 23

I didn't see Colbert's take on it, but had heard about it on NPR news. Amazing that it was found.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (325809)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 23

Such a tiny thing and such a distance to cover! But it's found now so that's good.

2 people like this

Anindita Sengupta

@aninditasen (15742)

• Raurkela, India

1 Feb 23

A suitable saying for the incident.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (325809)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 23

I thought so too! It was a very long distance they had to search for an item smaller than a coin.

2 people like this

Anindita Sengupta

@aninditasen (15742)

• Raurkela, India

2 Feb 23

@JudyEv And you rightly used the saying.

1 person likes this

@LindaOHio (156276)

• United States

1 Feb 23

I'm glad the capsule was found. I didn't see the Late Show.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (325809)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 23

I have no idea if the programme is popular or not but thought I'd mention it in case.

2 people like this

@LindaOHio (156276)

• United States

2 Feb 23

@JudyEv The various Late Shows are popular; but I haven't watched them in years.

1 person likes this

@Kandae11 (53679)

•

2 Feb 23

I am sure glad they found it.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (325809)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 23

It could have been quite dangerous. I guess they might have just kept looking till they found it.

1 person likes this

@RebeccasFarm (86760)

• United States

1 Feb 23

I read a short headline about that Judy. What a thing to happen but glad now it has been found..a miracle.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (325809)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 23

It wasn't even as big as a coin but it seems it could have packed an almighty punch.

2 people like this

@jstory07 (134465)

• Roseburg, Oregon

1 Feb 23

I did not see it. That is bad right.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (325809)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 23

Very bad. There is a big investigation now into how such a thing was allowed to happen.

1 person likes this

@Juliaacv (48447)

• Canada

1 Feb 23

I do not watch that program, but it was on the evening news here. I am glad that it has been located.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (325809)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 23

It seems to have made the news in many countries so it must have been pretty serious. they would be incredibly relieved to have found it so soon.

2 people like this

@andriaperry (116860)

• Anniston, Alabama

2 Feb 23

I don't have tv so no I didn't hear about this.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (325809)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 23

I'm surprised sometimes that stuff that happens here actually makes it to world news.

1 person likes this

@lazydaizee (6739)

• United Kingdom

1 Feb 23

This must have been very scary for people living nearby and others who had to pass through the area where it was lost. It could have been worse if a child or an animal had picked it up and did not know what it was. What were the people who lost it doing with something like this in the first place?

2 people like this

@JudyEv (325809)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Feb 23

It was part of a consignment of mining equipment being brought to Perth for repairs.

1 person likes this

@Beestring (13325)

• Hong Kong

1 Feb 23

I've read about this news too. Good to know that it has been found.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (325809)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 23

The authorities and the mining company would be very relieved indeed to know it's been found.

2 people like this