Radiation Found In Area Of Crash

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31586, 25 January 1968, Page 11

Radiation Found In Area Of Crash

(AZ. Press Association—Copyright)

WASHINGTON, January 24. j. United States Air Force has detected traces of radiation in the area where a 852 bomber carrying four hydrogen bombs crashed off Greenland, Government sources said.

The level of radiation was not considered dangerous, the sources said.

The bombs have not yet; been recovered. The sources said “it stands, to reason” that some radia-! tion would appear after an incident of this sort. [ A report on weather condii tions at the Thule air base in Greenland said a storm was expected in the area. A delay in the recovery was possible, the Pentagon said last night. N.Z.P.A.-Reuter said that official sources said that it might be several days before chances for the recovering of the hydrogen bombs from the 852 bomber crash site could be assessed. A United States Air Force disaster control team was developing preliminary information but was hampered by, the cold, darkness and slow means of transport to the crash site some seven miles] from the Air Force base at; Thule. The huge bomber came down on Sunday and most of it sank through the ice in the ensuing fire, presumably carrying the hydrogen bombs to the bottom of North Star Bay,| some 800 to 900 feet deep. The expected resignation of !the Danish Government after) | its defeat in yesterday’s elec-l

!tions appeared to have stalled' activity on the diplomatic] I front over the incident. ; The crash of the bomber! was a last-minute issue in the] election. ) It appeared that the de-) feated Government of Mr Jens Otto Krag was inclined to accept the United States explanation of he crash as an at-, tempted emergency landing' at Thule Air Force base. Officials said that there) was an "understanding” with] the Danish Government that'

11 Thule could be used for emertlgency landings, although I Danish policy forbade flights • over its territories by planes :jcarrying nuclear weapons. I The Pentagon has said that •i the plane had declared an > emergency because of a fire •'on board. Six of the crew ■ parachuted to safety and one ■jwas killed. !] Officials said Snocats—large snow tractors—were being bused to carry Air Force ini) vestigators and oceanographic experts to the crash site.