The UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has told the organisation’s member states that 10 drums containing uranium “were not present as previously declared” at the location in Libya.
The missing uranium stockpile could pose radiological risk and security concerns, the agency has said.
The IAEA sounded the alarm after a visit by its inspectors to the undisclosed site earlier this week, where it found less uranium than originally reported. Currently, officials are working to locate the 2.3 missing tonnes.
“The loss of knowledge about the present location of nuclear material may present a radiological risk as well as nuclear security concerns,” the IAEA said, adding that reaching the site required “complex logistics”.
It is unclear when the uranium went missing or who could have taken it.
Natural uranium cannot immediately be used for energy production or bomb fuel. However, each ton of natural uranium – if obtained by a group with the...