A cargo ship in French Polynesia has been banned from offloading gravel on Mangareva after a nuclear test veterans' group raised concern it may be irradiated.
The explosion from a French nuclear test at Mururoa in French Polynesia. France conducted 193 tests between 1966 and 1996. Photo: AFP
The gravel was to be shipped from Hao atoll, which was the site of a military base while France tested nuclear weapons in the Pacific.
The veterans' group, Association 193, said the gravel, which was due to be used in road construction, was contaminated with plutonium.
However, the public works ministry said the gravel was not irradiated.
It said the gravel was made up of broken down concrete structures from Hao.
The mayor of Rikitea on Mangareva imposed the ban and told the public broadcaster he did so in order to keep the peace.
