Radioactive Snails Found at Crash Site in Spain

MADRID, Oct. 11 -- The discovery of radioactive snails at a site in southeastern Spain where three U.S. hydrogen bombs fell by accident 40 years ago may trigger a new joint U.S.-Spanish cleanup operation, officials said Wednesday.

The hydrogen bombs fell near the fishing village of Palomares in 1966 after a midair collision between a bomber and a refueling craft. Seven of 11 crewmen died.

Hundreds of tons of soil were removed and shipped to the United States after igniters on two bombs detonated on impact, spreading plutonium dust-bearing clouds. Since 1966, the United States has helped pay for residents to be checked for signs of radiation poisoning.

Spain is advising residents not to eat their snails, a local delicacy.