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BA passengers in radiation alert BA passengers in radiation alert
(30 minutes later)
British Airways is trying to contact 33,000 passengers after radioactive traces were found on two of its planes.British Airways is trying to contact 33,000 passengers after radioactive traces were found on two of its planes.
A third plane, currently in Moscow, is to be flown back to the UK for tests.A third plane, currently in Moscow, is to be flown back to the UK for tests.
The low grade radiation was found by scientists investigating the death of ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko. An inquest has been opened and adjourned.The low grade radiation was found by scientists investigating the death of ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko. An inquest has been opened and adjourned.
BA has named 221 affected flights on its website and passengers are urged to contact NHS Direct or their own doctor. The health risk is thought to be low.BA has named 221 affected flights on its website and passengers are urged to contact NHS Direct or their own doctor. The health risk is thought to be low.
A spokeswoman for BA said the airline had also been "proactively calling passengers" and hoped to have contacted the majority by the end of Thursday.A spokeswoman for BA said the airline had also been "proactively calling passengers" and hoped to have contacted the majority by the end of Thursday.
It has so far taken calls from 2,500 customers on a dedicated helpline.It has so far taken calls from 2,500 customers on a dedicated helpline.
An estimated 3,000 staff would also need to be checked, BA said.An estimated 3,000 staff would also need to be checked, BA said.
The alert involves 221 flights made by the three short-haul 767s in Europe between 25 October and 29 November, almost a quarter of which were between Moscow and London.The alert involves 221 flights made by the three short-haul 767s in Europe between 25 October and 29 November, almost a quarter of which were between Moscow and London.
Tracing movementsTracing movements
Mr Litvinenko, an ex-KGB agent and a fierce critic of Russian president Vladimir Putin, died last week of radiation poisoning.Mr Litvinenko, an ex-KGB agent and a fierce critic of Russian president Vladimir Putin, died last week of radiation poisoning.
DESTINATIONS AFFECTED MoscowBarcelonaDusseldorfAthensLarnacaStockholmViennaFrankfurtIstanbulMadrid All flight numbers published on the BA website Traces of radioactive polonium-210 were discovered in his body and more traces of the substance were found at venues he visited in the capital on 1 November.DESTINATIONS AFFECTED MoscowBarcelonaDusseldorfAthensLarnacaStockholmViennaFrankfurtIstanbulMadrid All flight numbers published on the BA website Traces of radioactive polonium-210 were discovered in his body and more traces of the substance were found at venues he visited in the capital on 1 November.
Scotland Yard has not said why it became interested in the planes, which were used on flights to Moscow and other European destinations over a five-week period.Scotland Yard has not said why it became interested in the planes, which were used on flights to Moscow and other European destinations over a five-week period.
But detectives are known to be tracing the movements of those who associated with Mr Litvinenko.But detectives are known to be tracing the movements of those who associated with Mr Litvinenko.
One of the two Russians who met Mr Litvinenko on the day he fell ill has told Russian newspaper Kommersant that he travelled on one of the planes involved on 3 November.One of the two Russians who met Mr Litvinenko on the day he fell ill has told Russian newspaper Kommersant that he travelled on one of the planes involved on 3 November.
HAVE YOUR SAY This isn't BA's problem but they're doing all they can to assist in the investigation David, Hounslow Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY This isn't BA's problem but they're doing all they can to assist in the investigation David, Hounslow Send us your comments
Former KGB bodyguard Andrei Lugovoi told the paper he had had nothing to do with the poisoning.Former KGB bodyguard Andrei Lugovoi told the paper he had had nothing to do with the poisoning.
He met the ex-spy after his meeting at a West End sushi restaurant with an Italian security consultant, at which Mr Litvinenko was already showing signs of radiation contamination.He met the ex-spy after his meeting at a West End sushi restaurant with an Italian security consultant, at which Mr Litvinenko was already showing signs of radiation contamination.
An autopsy will be carried out on Friday.An autopsy will be carried out on Friday.
Police focusPolice focus
After the adjournment, Alex Goldfarb, a friend of Mr Litvinenko, said police investigations into flights between Moscow and London reinforced the theory that the radioactive substance blamed for his death had come from Russia.
Police were "looking obviously for the ways of delivery of this material to London", he told journalists outside the court.
British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh told the BBC that the aircraft affected were all of the same type, and were being carefully examined.British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh told the BBC that the aircraft affected were all of the same type, and were being carefully examined.
EXPOSURE RISK Contact with carrier's sweat or urine could lead to exposureBut polonium-210 must be ingested to cause damageRadiation has very short range and cannot pass through skinWashing eliminates tracesEXPOSURE RISK Contact with carrier's sweat or urine could lead to exposureBut polonium-210 must be ingested to cause damageRadiation has very short range and cannot pass through skinWashing eliminates traces
"Three specific aircraft were initially identified - three 767s," he said. "Two of those aircraft have been tested, and very low levels of radioactive traces have been discovered on the aircraft.""Three specific aircraft were initially identified - three 767s," he said. "Two of those aircraft have been tested, and very low levels of radioactive traces have been discovered on the aircraft."
Mr Walsh said that the aircraft had made a large number of flights since they were contaminated, carrying many thousands of passengers, and the company was trying to alert them all.Mr Walsh said that the aircraft had made a large number of flights since they were contaminated, carrying many thousands of passengers, and the company was trying to alert them all.
The BBC's Gordon Correra says the police focus on flights as far back as October 25 could be significant if investigators discover that radioactive traces were left on board before Mr Litvinenko fell ill.The BBC's Gordon Correra says the police focus on flights as far back as October 25 could be significant if investigators discover that radioactive traces were left on board before Mr Litvinenko fell ill.
This could indicate they were left by people bringing the material into the country rather than by those who had been in contact with the ex-spy.This could indicate they were left by people bringing the material into the country rather than by those who had been in contact with the ex-spy.
Low riskLow risk
Chief executive of Britain's Health Protection Agency Professor Pat Troop said that if the source of the radiation was the same as that which killed Mr Litvinenko - polonium-210 - the risk of serious contamination to passengers was small.Chief executive of Britain's Health Protection Agency Professor Pat Troop said that if the source of the radiation was the same as that which killed Mr Litvinenko - polonium-210 - the risk of serious contamination to passengers was small.
"What we have heard is that it's either traces or very low levels and what we have learnt so far in our investigation... is that where we have got these areas of low level radiation it doesn't seem to pose a significant health threat," he said."What we have heard is that it's either traces or very low levels and what we have learnt so far in our investigation... is that where we have got these areas of low level radiation it doesn't seem to pose a significant health threat," he said.
The inquest into Mr Litvinenko's death is due to open on Thursday at St Pancras Coroner's Court in London.The inquest into Mr Litvinenko's death is due to open on Thursday at St Pancras Coroner's Court in London.
However, it will be adjourned until the police investigation into his death has been completed.However, it will be adjourned until the police investigation into his death has been completed.
Home Secretary John Reid is expected to make a statement to Parliament concerning the investigation today.Home Secretary John Reid is expected to make a statement to Parliament concerning the investigation today.
  • British Airways has set up a special helpline for customers in the UK on 0845 6040171 or +44 191 211 3690 for international calls.
  • British Airways has set up a special helpline for customers in the UK on 0845 6040171 or +44 191 211 3690 for international calls.
  • Passengers who travelled on those flights and want further advice are advised to telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
  • Passengers who travelled on those flights and want further advice are advised to telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
    • Did you travel on any of the affected flights? What advice have you been given? Send us your experiences using the form below. Did you travel on any of the affected flights? What advice have you been given? Send us your experiences using the form below.
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