'Radiation vehicles' are no risk

The vehicles, three cars and a van, were imported after Japan was hit by an earthquake and a nuclear reactor crisis. The vehicles were intercepted by the Customs Department on Friday.

According to Mr Farad Ali Olite, the chief of the Radiation Protection Authority, the vehicles do not represent any risk from contamination as they are in a special container in the container park in the Port area.

After preliminary tests revealed the presence of radioactive particles, the Customs Department informed the Mauritius Revenue Authority and the Radiation Protection Authority.

According to sources close to the MRA, the container was acquired just after the massive earthquake hit Japan and damaged the Fukushima nuclear power plant. And the acquisition has proved useful.

Mr Olite, from the Radiation Protection Authority, said there is no risk of further contamination once the vehicles are in the container.