Radioactive contamination found outside Spanish nuclear plant

An environmental group said radioactive contamination has been found outside a nuclear power station on the banks of a major river in Spain.

Greenpeace said in a statement that radioactivity linked to cobalt, manganese and other elements had been detected on roofs, fences and other outside areas around the Asco nuclear power plant.

The Asco plant is located on the Ebro River 44 miles upstream from the Mediterranean Sea.

Greenpeace’s statement issued today said an accident late last year involving cooling water was the most likely cause of the leak.

A call to the power station was answered by security staff who were not authorised to speak to the press.

Calls to the station’s owners, power suppliers Endesa and Iberdrola, went unanswered.