CBRN event in Turkey on Fri 8th January 1999

Loss of approx. 26 TBq (700 Ci) of a shielded or unshielded Co60 source. Details are as follows:
1. The TAEA became aware of the event on 8 January 1999 when it was informed that a radiological accident had occurred in Ikitelli, Istanbul.
2. The ministry of health, police departments, the public and all relevant authorities have been informed by TAEA about the accident;
3. The inquiries and search of the source are still in progress by the experts of the TAEA;
4. Explanations provided by the source's owner are very confusing, leading the Turkish authorities to consider that the registered source has been sold and probably sent abroad for tele-therapy purposes without notifying TAEA .