Spain asks America to clear up nuclear mess

THE Spanish government is demanding that America pays to remove 50,000 cubic metres of contaminated plutonium from a site in Almeria.

It comes after waiting over four decades since a series of nuclear bombs accidentally fell near Palomares in 1966 when US air force planes collided with a refuelling aircraft.

The worst nuclear accident of its time, it provoked worries that it would destroy tourism in Andalucia.

Spain is now demanding that the contaminated soil is removed “without delay.”

Spain does not have anywhere to store the soil, which will take thousands of years to lose its radioactivity.

Experts say that by sifting the soil it could be reduced to 6,000 cubic metres, but it will cost 31m euros.

Tests on local people have shown the plutonium has had little impact on the population.

But the four areas that are contaminated have no agriculture permitted.