First Transport with Nuclear Waste Arrives in Ahaus

25. March 2026, 09:30

The first transport arrived in Ahaus on Wednesday night. A large truck brought one Castor container to the storage site. The container holds dangerous nuclear waste. The waste comes from an old research reactor in J3lich.

The journey took about 4 hours. The truck drove on several motorways in North Rhine-Westphalia. About 2,400 police officers accompanied the transport. Everything went without problems and as planned.

There were protests at several places. People met for vigil watches in J3lich and Ahaus. They think the transports are dangerous. 151 more containers should follow in the next years.

Definitions

Castor Container

A Castor container is a very strong container made of metal. People use it for transport and storage of radioactive materials. It protects the environment from dangerous radiation.

Nuclear Waste

Nuclear waste is remains of materials used in nuclear power plants or research centers. These remains radiate very strongly. They are dangerous for people and nature for a long time.

Research Reactor

In a research reactor, people experiment with atomic power. They do not create electricity for houses there. People use it for science.

Vigil Watch

A vigil watch is a form of protest. People meet to silently remember an important topic or warn against something.

Locations

Ahaus

Ahaus is a town in the M5nsterland region in North Rhine-Westphalia. There is a large storage site there for radioactive waste.

J3lich

J3lich is a town in the Rhineland. A well-known research center stands there. A reactor was operated there earlier.

Sources