Georgian port of Batumi suspends operation due to radiation detection

The Georgian port of Batumi has temporarily ceased operation after radioactivity was detected in scrap metal, the Port Authority told Trend on Tuesday.

The Port Authority did not say where the scrap metal was to be exported. Several radiation safety teams are on the scene. The Georgian security agencies have blocked all approaches to the port. All employees have been evacuated.

The emergency services’ employees and local radiological services’ experts are at the port. However, work to identify the source of the radiation has not started. The port is waiting for a special group of experts to arrive from Tbilisi.

The radiation was discovered in scrap metal in a railway carriage. The scrap metal was to be shipped on a vessel abroad. However, the port did not name the destination.

The radiation was revealed using the special sensors that have been installed on Georgian borders. These sensors were installed with the assistance and funding of the United States.


/Trend/