Nuclear terrorism still a danger, warns IAEA

More action is needed to stop militants acquiring plutonium or highly-enriched uranium that could be used for atomic bombs, nuclear experts and government officials said.

Speaking in Vienna on Monday, Yukiya Amano, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), warned against a "false sense of security" over the danger of nuclear terrorism.

Amano, holding up a small lead container that was used to traffic highly enriched uranium in the former Soviet republic of Moldova two years ago, said it showed a "worrying level of knowledge on the part of the smugglers".

"This case ended well," he said. "Unfortunately, we cannot be sure if such cases are just the tip of the iceberg."

Analysts said radical groups could theoretically build a crude, but deadly nuclear bomb if they had the money, technical knowledge and the amount of fissile material needed.

Many states have taken steps to prevent malicious acts such as nuclear theft and sabotage, Amano told the delegates.