Brazil gunmen shoot at convoy carrying nuclear fuel

by IANS |

Rio de Janeiro  Gunmen attacked a convoy of trucks carrying uranium fuel to a nuclear power plant near the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, police said.

The convoy came under attack as it drove past a community controlled by drug traffickers in Angra dos Reis, a tourist city 145 km from here, the BBC reported on Wednesday.

Police escorting the convoy responded and a shootout followed. No one was injured and the convoy reached the nuclear plant 20 minutes after the attack.

The uranium was being transported in armoured containers in a "natural state" and would not have offered any risk as it had the same level of radioactivity as when it is found in nature, Brazil's nuclear agency Eletronuclear said.

The agency, however, said the convoy "had not been attacked by bandits" directly - it was passing from the area at a moment the shootout was happening.

Latest News
Top psephologist says PM Modi's connect with women to propel NDA to '400 paar' Fri, Apr 26, 2024, 04:48 PM
Covid-19 worsened 'silent' spread of antimicrobial resistance: WHO Fri, Apr 26, 2024, 04:42 PM
Govt working on setting up Maritime Development Fund akin to Power Finance Corp, REC Fri, Apr 26, 2024, 04:38 PM
Several killed and injured after junta airstrikes in Myanmar Fri, Apr 26, 2024, 04:35 PM
South Korea, Japan could consider simplified entry agreement amid warming ties: Seoul official Fri, Apr 26, 2024, 04:33 PM
CM Vijayan loses cool when asked if elections would be assessment of his governance Fri, Apr 26, 2024, 04:31 PM
Brand owners may look at chess GM Gukesh and others for endorsement deals Fri, Apr 26, 2024, 04:29 PM
Global connected car sales to exceed 500 million in 2030, India to be among top nations Fri, Apr 26, 2024, 04:11 PM
INDIA bloc aims to divide the country on religious grounds: UP CM Yogi Adityanath Fri, Apr 26, 2024, 04:07 PM
FairPoint: If mangoes were for bail, then CM Kejriwal would ride out of jail Fri, Apr 26, 2024, 04:01 PM
Hulkenberg to leave Haas for Sauber at the end of F1 season 2024 Fri, Apr 26, 2024, 03:54 PM
Kia's net profit up 32.5 pc in Q1; India sales drop due to aging models, geopolitical factors Fri, Apr 26, 2024, 03:47 PM
We will implement UCC in entire country, it is 'Modi ki Guarantee': Amit Shah Fri, Apr 26, 2024, 03:45 PM
Three dead after mini car falls into paddy field in Japan Fri, Apr 26, 2024, 03:09 PM
Amid scorching heat, Tripura East records 55 pc turnout till 1 p.m. Fri, Apr 26, 2024, 03:07 PM