Majority of Radioactive Material Thefts Occur During Transport

New data from the International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA highlights a significant vulnerability in the global movement of hazardous substances, revealing that more than half of all thefts involving nuclear and radioactive materials since 1993 took place during authorized transport.

This trend has intensified recently, with the share of transport-related thefts climbing to nearly 70% over the last ten years.

The findings, sourced from the IAEA’s Incident and Trafficking Database (ITDB), emphasize the urgent necessity for heightened vigilance and more robust security measures during the transit of these materials.

Theft Trends and Recovery Challenges

Between 1993 and 2025, the ITDB recorded 4,626 total incidents, 730 of which were classified as thefts or attempted thefts of radioactive material. Analysis shows that approximately 55% of these thefts occurred while the materials were being moved.

Furthermore, recovery remains a major concern: in 59% of these transport-related cases representing roughly 400 separate incidents the stolen material has never been found.

Elena Buglova, Director of the IAEA’s Division of Nuclear Security, noted that the data confirms the persistent vulnerability of these materials to security threats while in transit.

She reiterated that the IAEA remains available to assist nations in strengthening their security regimes to prevent criminal or unauthorized acts during transport.

Scope and Scale of the ITDB

The ITDB tracks unauthorized activities involving nuclear and radioactive materials that have fallen out of regulatory control. While many reported incidents are not necessarily tied to malicious intent or trafficking, they highlight ongoing difficulties in regulatory oversight, disposal methods, and detection capabilities.

In 2025, 34 of the 145 participating states reported 236 incidents, an increase from the 147 reported in 2024. However, the IAEA attributes this specific rise to retrospective reporting rather than a sudden spike in new events.

The database covers a wide range of materials, including:

Nuclear Materials: Uranium, plutonium, and thorium.
Radioisotopes: Both naturally occurring and artificially produced.
Contaminated Items: Radioactive materials found in scrap metal and manufactured goods at recycling sites.

Global Context and Future Security

The release of this data coincides with the International Conference on the Safe and Secure Transport of Nuclear and Radioactive Material.

With millions of shipments occurring annually for use in medicine, industry, agriculture, and energy, the scale of the logistics chain is vast.

The conference serves as a forum for the international community to address the legal, regulatory, and technical challenges of the industry.

Discussions focus on package design, supply chain operations, and the integration of new technologies to improve the safety and security of nuclear shipments worldwide.

Editorial Note: This article is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It provides analytical insights based on publicly available information and does not constitute financial, legal, or political advice. Readers are encouraged to consult official sources and expert advisors for verified guidance.