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Former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko
at London's University College Hospital on 20 November 2006.(Xinhua/AFP
Photo)
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BEIJING,
Nov. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- After investigating the death of a former Russian
spy, health authorities in Britain tested 300 people for traces of radiation
Sunday, who are also customers of restaurant and hotel visited by radiation
victim Alexander Litvinenko.
Litvinenko, 43, a former KGB agent died Thursday of
heart failure after falling gravely ill from what doctors said was poisoning by
the radioactive element polonium-210.
London Metropolitan Police said Sunday they were
investigating a "suspicious death," rather than a murder. They have not ruled
out the possibility that Litvinenko may have poisoned himself.
Litvinenko told police he believed he was poisoned
Nov. 1. He was moved to intensive care last week after his hair fell out, his
throat became swollen and his immune and nervous systems suffered severe damage.
Traces of radiation were found at Litvinenko's north
London house, a sushi bar where he went Nov. 1 and a hotel he visited earlier
that day, police said.
The discovery triggered meetings of the government's
top-level emergency committee, and an attempt to trace everyone who came into
contact with Litvinenko on the day he fell ill.
The Health Protection Agency said 300 people who had
visited the locations have contacted officials. They will be screened and some
will have their urine tested for radiation, the agency said.
But the agency insisted the risk to others was low
because polonium-210 can only contaminate if it is ingested, inhaled or taken in
through a wound.
Poisoned former Russian spy
dies
LONDON, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Former Russian spy Alexander
Litvinenko who was poisoned by an unknown toxic substance three weeks ago died
on Thursday at the intensive care unit of London's University College Hospital
(UCH).
The UCH said in a statement that doctors couldn't
determine the cause of the death of Litvinenko, who has been hospitalized in the
UCH since last Friday.
