Russian authorities have confirmed a radiation leak at a nuclear reprocessing plant in the Urals. The Emergencies Ministry says a faulty tap allowed radiation to leak from a holding tank containing liquid radioactive waste.

A 1.5-kilometre stretch of road near the Mayak plant was affected.

The leak took place four days ago and the local prosecutor’s office says no one was injured.

Russian Atomic Energy Agency spokesman Sergey Novikov said that the leaks were on a road inside the Mayak plant facility.
 
“As soon as the leaks were detected, they were neutralised and isolated by the plant workers. At the same time they checked all vehicles which could have passed on that road for possible contamination,” Mr Novikov said.

Scientists say radiation levels in the area are within normal limits.