French nuclear firm says 30 cubic metres of a liquid containing uranium was
accidentally spilled into the ground and a nearby river at one of its plants
in south eastern France.

 TRICASTIN, FRANCE (JULY 8, 2008) CANAL PLUS -
The French nuclear firm Areva said on Tuesday (July 8) that 30
cubic meters of a liquid containing natural uranium was accidentally poured on
the ground and into a river at a site in southeastern France. 
    The uranium, which was not enriched, was poured on the ground during
the cleaning of a tank at the Socatri group, an Areva subsidiary, on the site
of the Tricastin nuclear plant.
     "This is exceptional. It has never happened before, an incident
of this level, level 1, even if it is low it happens rarely."," said
Gilles Salgas, spokesman for the Socatri group.
    Socatri said the liquid contained twelve grammes - or less than half an
ounce - of unenriched uranium.
    France's nuclear safety authority said in a statement that it will
carry out an investigation on July 10 to determine the causes of the
accident.
    Socatri specializes in the maintenance and dismantling of nuclear
material as well as managing nuclear waste.
    Part of the liquid soaked into the ground at the company's premises
while the rest ran into the Gaffiere and Lauzon rivers, which flow into the
Rhone.
     A Socatri spokesman said the firm will monitor the impact of the
accident on the environment.