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Missing Semtex 'left unguarded' | Missing Semtex 'left unguarded' |
(1 day later) | |
A depot in France from which a large quantity of powerful explosive went missing was poorly guarded, the regional head of security has said. | A depot in France from which a large quantity of powerful explosive went missing was poorly guarded, the regional head of security has said. |
The storage of 28kg (61lb) of Semtex at the site near Lyon was "not usual and certainly not authorised", Xavier de Fuerst also told the AFP news agency. | The storage of 28kg (61lb) of Semtex at the site near Lyon was "not usual and certainly not authorised", Xavier de Fuerst also told the AFP news agency. |
A search by anti-terrorist officers is under way, and the manager of the site has been suspended pending an inquiry. | A search by anti-terrorist officers is under way, and the manager of the site has been suspended pending an inquiry. |
Semtex has been favoured by terrorists for being very difficult to detect. | |
I am extremely surprised and angry that... you can store products as dangerous as this without any protection Mayor of CorbasThierry Butin The depot, in a disused 19th Century fort at Corbas, is used by a civil defence unit charged with the job of blowing up bombs and ammunition left over from the two world wars. | I am extremely surprised and angry that... you can store products as dangerous as this without any protection Mayor of CorbasThierry Butin The depot, in a disused 19th Century fort at Corbas, is used by a civil defence unit charged with the job of blowing up bombs and ammunition left over from the two world wars. |
Mr de Fuerst said the site had been bought by the interior ministry in 2005, and that existing security measures had fallen into disrepair. | Mr de Fuerst said the site had been bought by the interior ministry in 2005, and that existing security measures had fallen into disrepair. |
He said that the storage of the explosives had not been authorised until work to replace security cameras and reinforce the entrances - scheduled for 2009 - was complete. | He said that the storage of the explosives had not been authorised until work to replace security cameras and reinforce the entrances - scheduled for 2009 - was complete. |
He said that neither the police nor local authorities were aware that the Semtex was being stored there. | He said that neither the police nor local authorities were aware that the Semtex was being stored there. |
The mayor of Corbas, Thierry Butin, told local media: "I am extremely surprised and angry that from one day to the next you can store products as dangerous as this, without any protection." | The mayor of Corbas, Thierry Butin, told local media: "I am extremely surprised and angry that from one day to the next you can store products as dangerous as this, without any protection." |
'Security failings' | 'Security failings' |
Police said detonators were also missing and that they were treating the theft "very seriously". | Police said detonators were also missing and that they were treating the theft "very seriously". |
Police said the discovery that the Semtex was missing was made on Friday but admitted the explosives could have been taken up to a week ago. | Police said the discovery that the Semtex was missing was made on Friday but admitted the explosives could have been taken up to a week ago. |
In a statement released late on Friday the interior ministry said "security failings" had made the theft possible. | In a statement released late on Friday the interior ministry said "security failings" had made the theft possible. |
Semtex, which was first made in the Czech Republic, is used in mining and demolition work. | Semtex, which was first made in the Czech Republic, is used in mining and demolition work. |
A bomb containing about half a kilogram of the explosive caused the blast which brought down Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988, killing 270 people. | A bomb containing about half a kilogram of the explosive caused the blast which brought down Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988, killing 270 people. |
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