IAEA Reports 4243 Incidents of Unauthorized Nuclear Activities Since 1993

The majority of the remaining incidents were attributed to unauthorized disposal, unauthorized shipment, or the discovery of radioactive material.

In a new factsheet released today, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) revealed that a total of 4243 incidents involving illegal or unauthorized activities with nuclear and other radioactive material have been reported in the IAEA Incident and Trafficking Database (ITDB) since 1993.

In 2023 alone, 168 incidents were reported by 31 States, aligning with historical averages. The ITDB gathers data on incidents ranging from illegal possession and attempted sale to smuggling and unauthorized disposal of nuclear and radioactive material. Six of the incidents reported in 2023 were potentially related to trafficking or malicious use, with insufficient information to determine the intent of ten other incidents. The majority of the remaining incidents were attributed to unauthorized disposal, unauthorized shipment, or the discovery of radioactive material.

Elena Buglova, Director of the IAEA's Division of Nuclear Security, emphasized the need for continuous vigilance and regulatory oversight to control and secure radioactive material, citing the ITDB as a crucial resource for identifying potential threats and trends to enhance international cooperation and nuclear security implementation.

Analyzing the types of material involved in reported incidents, the factsheet noted a decline in incidents related to nuclear material, while thefts during authorized transport accounted for over half of all reported thefts since 1993. Buglova underscored the ongoing importance of strengthening transport security measures to mitigate security threats during transport.

The release of the ITDB factsheet coincides with the International Conference on Nuclear Security (ICONS) 2024, providing a platform for policymakers, officials, and experts to discuss nuclear security worldwide and foster international cooperation.