/ 1 December 2006

UK finds second case of polonium poisoning

British scientists probing the death of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko said on Friday a second man had been poisoned by radiation. Media reports said the man was an Italian he met at a London restaurant.

”We are confirming that one further person who was in direct contact with Mr Litvinenko has been found to have a significant quantity of polonium 210 in their body. This is being investigated further in hospital,” a spokesperson for the Health Protection Agency said.

Police and health authorities declined to confirm the reports naming the victim as Mario Scaramella, an Italian contact who met Litvinenko the day he fell ill. — Reuters