UN agency reports theft of Mexican truck with highly radioactive cargo

VIENNA – The U.N. nuclear agency says a truck carrying an extremely dangerous radioactive substance has been stolen in Mexico.

The International Atomic Energy Agency says the truck was carrying cobalt-60, used for radiotherapy treatment to combat cancer. An IAEA statement Wednesday said the truck was stolen Monday while taking the material to a radioactive waste storage center from the northern city of Tijuana.

It says the heist occurred in Tepojaco, a town near Mexico City, and describes the load as "extremely dangerous" if damaged or removed from its protective shielding.

The statement says that Mexican authorities are searching for the material.

The statement gave no further details.