Suitcase containing radioactive material found at Barcelona airport

A suitcase unloaded from a Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) plane Tuesday was found to be leaking radioactive material, according to Spanish defense agency Civil Protections, Report informs, citing local media.

The suitcase, which had arrived at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, had come from Germany and was bound for Salamanca in northwest Spain, Spanish outlet El Nacional wrote. Authorities wrote via X, formerly Twitter, the situation forced them to activate two response initiatives for aeronautical and radioactive emergencies.

The material, identified as a cancer treatment product, can cause “leaks and possible external damage” in those exposed, the publication said. Passengers on board the plane were quarantined and five workers exposed to the material were taken to a medical center as a precaution.

After an investigation by emergency medical responders, health agency Medical Emergency System announced no one on board the plane had been harmed by the radiation and deactivated the emergency protocols.