Tritium in a container of drinking water. Fifty workers undergoing medical treatment, but have already been discharged. Plant managers have launched investigations to trace the causes. The director of the plant: an act of sabotage.

Mumbai (AsiaNews / Agencies) - A nuclear power plant in southern India has experienced a leak of radioactive material, which has flowed into drinking water. Officials and local police have started investigations to find the cause, questioning employees of the factory.    

According to preliminary information at least 55 workers are undergoing medical treatment for excessive exposure to radiation, after the tritium contaminated a water container. Some managers of the plant in Kaiga, on the west coast - about 450 km from Bangalore - have explained that the spill could have been "deliberate".  

J. P. Gupta, director of the plant, does not exclude that the accident was caused "intentionally." He adds that the 55 employees, after treatment have returned to work. "The accident - ensures the director - has not in any way had an impact on public health and safety or the environment”.  

Tritium, also known as hydrogen-3, is used in research in fusion reactors and neutron generators.

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