Authorities in southern France ban water supplies after nuclear site leak

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Liquid containing traces of un-enriched uranium leaked Tuesday at a nuclear site in southern France, and some of the solution ran into two rivers, France's nuclear safety agency said. Authorities banned the consumption of well water in three nearby towns and the watering of crops from the two rivers. Also banned were swimming, water sports and fishing. A spokeswoman for the nuclear safety agency, Evangelia Petit, said about 30,000 liters (7,925 gallons) of solution containing uranium spilled Tuesday at a factory at the Tricastin nuclear site. It is about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the historic city of Avignon. Another nuclear safety agency official, Charles-Antoine Louet, said the liquid contained about 360 kilograms (794 pounds) of un-enriched natural uranium, which he said is only slightly radioactive although toxic.