SYDNEY, Aug 29: Australian nuclear experts working to prevent a ‘dirty bomb’ attack by terrorists have found large unsecured sources of dangerous radioactive material in Southeast Asia, a report said on Monday.

A team from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) discovered enough loose material to contaminate the heart of a major city, the Australian newspaper reported.

At one site a ‘substantial’ piece of cobalt used for cancer therapy had been found abandoned after a radiation centre was closed.

A conventional bomb wrapped around a small stick of cobalt could contaminate a large area of a city, dramatically boost cancer rates and force residents out for decades, scientists say.

“There are two countries where we have located quite large sources,” ANSTO’s chief of operations, Ron Cameron, told the paper. He declined to identify the countries until the material had been properly secured.

About 25 other radiation centres were also being investigated in a third country, he said.

The availability of loose radioactive material suitable for dirty bombs had been a concern of Australia for the past year.—AFP