The German Defence Ministry has denied media reports that up to 58 soldiers may have died from cancer due to prolonged exposure to X-rays from radar equipment, reports Derek Scally from Berlin.
Of the 600 to 800 German soldiers who served as radar technicians in the last 40 years, over 300 have been diagnosed with cancer, including 31 cases of leukaemia, 25 cases of testicular cancer and 22 with brain tumours, according to figures from a support group for former soldiers.
Last January the federal government established a commission to investigate the matter following media reports that peacekeepers had been harmed by exposure to radiation from the remnants of depleted-uranium ammunition.
The commission's report, published last month, said that the German army neglected to provide its soldiers with adequate protection from dangerous radiation in radar installations.
"In individual cases, members of the Bundeswehr, soldiers and civilians have without a doubt been harmed by X-rays from radar equipment," according to the report.
The defence ministry said it had received compensation applications from over 300 soldiers, but denied yesterday that any had died from cancer caused by radiation in radar.