Authorities in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau are searching for a container with highly radioactive material that has been missing from a steel mill for over three months.

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The mill’s owner, Pomina JSC, noticed the missing container (pictured above), thought to contain radioactive cobalt-60, in March when a new employee took charge of the company’s radioactive safety management department, reports Thanh Nien.

Police and other public employees are currently scouring the area with Geiger meters in an attempt to locate the lost capsule.

“The radioactive source can pose health risks to human when in touch. Therefore, the search of this lost equipment is urgent’’ the province’s Department of Science and Technology said in a statement on Monday.

There was no explanation as to why it took provincial authorities three months to make the disappearance public, especially given the danger it poses.

The department added that it would provide an award for those who are able to locate the misplaced container, according to Tuoi Tre.