Data for nuclear security

With 24 football teams competing in stadiums in 10 German cities and millions of spectators in the stands, last summer’s UEFA European Football Championship EURO 2024 was an unforgettable experience. However, the event also posed a serious security challenge. By the time Germany’s national football team was competing on the field, another German team comprising specialists from the country’s security authorities had been working together for months to prepare for potential threats that could jeopardize the security of this major sporting event. For Germany’s security authorities, the month-long EURO 2024 was the arena in which their plans and readiness would ultimately be tested.

A key element of the German security plan for UEFA EURO 2024 was the deployment of radiation detection capabilities. Since Germany had already benefited from IAEA support for nuclear security measures when the country hosted the 2006 FIFA World Cup, it again turned to the IAEA for help with UEFA EURO 2024.

To assist Germany’s threat assessment efforts, the IAEA compiled information from the highly confidential Incident and Trafficking Database (ITDB) on reported incidents of trafficking and other unauthorized activities involving nuclear and other radioactive material, and provided a tailored analysis of nuclear security threats, trends and patterns in Germany and neighbouring countries.

According to Helge Kröger, Section Head for Safety and Security of Radiation Sources in Germany’s Federal Office for Radiation Protection and the national ITDB Point of Contact, the report provided valuable information on the detection capabilities needed to protect the football venues, helping to ensure the success of Germany’s nuclear security plan for the championship. “The report was handed over to the police as well as all the relevant regional radiation protection authorities to consider in their own preparations for EURO 2024,” he said. 

“Nuclear security threat assessment is an essential element of security plans for large-scale events like EURO 2024,” said Elena Buglova, Director of the IAEA Division of Nuclear Security. “The assistance offered to Germany shows how the ITDB can help countries understand the risks posed by nuclear and other radioactive material outside of regulatory control.”

Maintained by the IAEA, the ITDB analyses reported incidents to identify trends in nuclear security. Since its establishment in 1995, the database has become a robust mechanism for participating countries — of which there are currently 145 — and relevant international organizations such as the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL).

Between 1993 and 2024, 125 countries reported 4390 incidents to the ITDB. Approximately 8 per cent of the reported incidents were confirmed as being related to illicit trafficking or malicious use of nuclear or other radioactive material.

Around 59 per cent of the total number of reported incidents involved radioactive sources used in medical and industrial applications, while 14 per cent involved nuclear material such as uranium and plutonium. The remaining 27 per cent involved contaminated items and non-radioactive material involved in scams or fraud. Although the number of attempted scams involving non-nuclear material falsely claimed to be nuclear or radioactive remains low, their frequency has been rising.

The overall number of reported incidents involving nuclear material has declined over the years. At the same time, reports of radioactive sources ending up in the scrap metal industry have risen, underscoring the need for enhanced regulatory control over the use, storage, transport and disposal of such sources. Transport vulnerabilities stand out as a persistent challenge, with over half of reported thefts occurring during authorized transport.

“As the Incident and Trafficking Database enters its fourth decade,” said Buglova, “its contribution to global nuclear security is broadly acknowledged. The ITDB is a practical tool, alerting and helping participating countries to make informed decisions, especially ahead of major public events. International cooperation and information sharing are at the heart of the ITDB, and we encourage more countries to join it.”