Kathmandu— On January 17, 1966, a mid-air collision between a US Air Force B-52 bomber and a KC-135 tanker off Spain's coast resulted in four hydrogen bombs falling near the town of Palomares. While no nuclear detonation occurred, radioactive plutonium scattered across farmland and homes, posing long-term health risks to local residents and cleanup personnel. The incident was initially downplayed by military officials, leading to a decades-long struggle for recognition and compensation from affected veterans.

The Collision and Its Aftermath

During routine refueling operations over the Mediterranean Sea on January 17, 1966, a B-52 bomber collided with a KC-135 tanker. The collision resulted in five fatalities among the eleven crew members aboard both planes. Four hydrogen bombs were dislodged and fell to earth near Palomares, Spain. While the weapons themselves did not detonate, other explosives on board caused plutonium from the warheads to scatter over the area.

The initial military statement was vague about the radioactive fallout, downplaying its severity. It wasn't until later that officials admitted to a small amount of radiation release, but the full extent of contamination remained hidden for years.

Cleanup and Cover-Up

In the aftermath of the Palomares disaster, cleanup efforts were hastily organized by untrained personnel. Low-ranking airmen without proper protective gear or expertise in handling radioactive materials were tasked with collecting contaminated soil and crops. This covert operation was conducted under strict secrecy to avoid public outcry over nuclear mishaps.

Victor Skaar, a chief master sergeant involved in the cleanup, later developed health issues linked to plutonium exposure. In 1982, during a routine physical examination, he discovered his white blood cell count was abnormal, indicating internal radiation poisoning from his work in Palomares.

Legal Battles and Recognition

Skaar's case became emblematic of broader issues surrounding veteran exposure to hazardous materials. In 2019, he filed a lawsuit against the Department of Veterans Affairs for failing to acknowledge his radioactive exposure while serving in Palomares. The Air Force initially maintained that radiation levels were too low to cause harm, but Skaar and his legal team argued that testing methods used at the time were inadequate.

In September 2020, a federal appeals court heard arguments supporting Skaar's claim that the government’s methodology for measuring radiation exposure was flawed. The court ruled in favor of Skaar and other affected veterans on December 17, 2020, paving the way for further legal battles to secure recognition and compensation.

(With inputs from CounterPunch)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.