The Environmental Ministry took custody of a vial found in Vaihingen an der Enz for examination after initial measurements showed no environmental radioactivity.

Initial on-site radiation readings were negative, and investigators proceeded with further analysis by the Environmental Ministry.

Police and environmental authorities cordoned off the area, secured the container, and began a formal investigation while the ministry reviews the contents.

Experts note how polonium can be weaponized and explain that risks from polonium are greatest if it enters the body, with emphasis on alpha radiation.

The label’s authenticity was questioned, and authorities noted the possibility of mislabeling or deception about the contents.

The response was large and rapid: roughly 138 firefighters and 41 vehicles, including radiation protection and hazardous materials teams, were mobilized to secure the scene in a coordinated operation.

A radiation protection alarm was triggered as part of the response, with specialized units and a nuclear plant radiation protection officer consulted.

Two men found a small 50-milliliter vial labeled Polonium 210 in a garden while Easter egg hunting near Stuttgart, prompting a police and fire department response.

Initial assessments could not confirm the contents on-site, and the vial remained secured as safety precautions continued.

The discovery occurred on Easter Sunday in Vaihingen an der Enz, with the vial described as white plastic with a red cap bearing the Polonium 210 label.

The bottle weighed about 200 grams and was initially believed to contain polonium 210, though verification could not be completed on the spot.

Experts warned the substance is highly radiotoxic and deadly if inhaled or absorbed through wounds, underscoring the safety concerns despite no injuries reported.