The uranium was reportedly found in a 55-gallon drum in the vicinity of a dismantled plane at Florida’s Opa-Locka Executive Airport.
#BREAKING: Miami-Dade Fire Rescue says uranium was in a 55 gallon drum located in area of a dismantled aircraft http://t.co/G7jOI9fNoY
— NBC 6 South Florida (@nbc6) July 25, 2013
PHOTO: @MiamiDadeFire HazMat responding to Opa-Locka Airport; 55-gallon drum w/ depleted uranium onsite. pic.twitter.com/tl0ZJP4gbQ
— Steven Cejas (@StevenCejas) July 25, 2013
Hazmat officials have evacuated a 150-foot perimeter.
Plenty of people find the news unsettling, to say the least:
Depleted uranium found at Opa Locka airport. Does that not strike as a tad scary? #breakingnewa
— Heather (@rpcvbg) July 25, 2013
So how does a barrel of depleted uranium just pop up at an airport?
— Ariel (@unstablenebula) July 25, 2013
??!!?? RT @RT BREAKING: Depleted uranium found in Miami airport, evacuation ordered (FIRST DETAILS) http://t.co/9QRJ8C8GzX
— Arthur Bouquet (@arthurbouquet) July 25, 2013
WTF!?!? RT @ABC: Developing: Depleted uranium found in 55 gallon drum at Miami's Opa-locka airport. Hazmat teams on the scene. No one hurt.
— Phil (@godfatherrules) July 25, 2013
Lord.. Smh. RT @BreakingNews: Depleted uranium found at Miami's Opa Locka Airport; hazmat on scene – @nbc6 http://t.co/sTI0h2YZ7X
— PJ (@9PJ) July 25, 2013
Recommended
https://twitter.com/GoldenGalt/status/360439299214290944
WTH? Uranium? Who the hell had uranium at an airport?
— LEE GRANT (@LEEGRANTVA) July 25, 2013
So far, no injuries have been reported — which makes it easier to take a more lighthearted approach to the situation:
So I can't bring my water bottle past security, but someone got a 55-gallon drum of exposed depleted uranium into the runway area?
— Sunny McSunnyface (@sunnyright) July 25, 2013
That's where I put it. | RT @mdfrpio: @MiamiDadeFire uranium in 55 gal drum located in area of dismantled aircraft according to contractor
— Sean Hackbarth (@seanhackbarth) July 25, 2013
Someone page Jack Bauer "@ABC Depleted uranium found in 55 gallon drum at Miami's Opa-locka airport. Hazmat on scene. No one hurt.
— Jeff E (@jeff13164) July 25, 2013
"Will the owner of the 55-gallon drum of depleted uranium please pick up the courtesy phone…"
— Sunny McSunnyface (@sunnyright) July 25, 2013
We will continue to monitor the situation and update with developments:
***
Update:
The material found has been confirmed to be depleted uranium-238:
UPDATE: @Opalocka_FL Airport material confirmed as depleted uranium 238 in airplane parts.
— WSVN 7 News (@wsvn) July 25, 2013
The EPA has been contacted:
.@MiamiDadeFire requesting response by @EPA #opalockahazmat via @mdfrpio
— WSVN 7 News (@wsvn) July 25, 2013
***
Update:
Good news:
@MiamiDadeFire wrapping up #opalockahazmat scene. Depleted Uranium posing minimal to no hazard. Hotzone perimeter reduced to 5 feet
— Arnold Piedrahita Jr (@LTArnoldP) July 25, 2013
@MiamiDadeFire found minimal radiation levels and are awaiting @EPA to release scene for cleanup.
— Arnold Piedrahita Jr (@LTArnoldP) July 25, 2013
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