The rumors began Friday after a technical incident at the Balakovo nuclear power plant which local authorities characterized as not serious.

As rumors of a nuclear catastrophe that cast radioactive particles into the air spread, so did the panic.

Inhabitants in towns accross the region such as Penza, Saransk, Saratov and Samara rushed out to purchase iodine, and universities and companies urged people to stay inside and close their shutters.

Iodine, when taken orally, is said to prevent nuclear radiation from damaging the body's cells.

"Unidentified individuals spread misinformation about a nuclear disaster ... which not only caused panic but became a public health threat because people ingested iodine," explained Nona Guellert, with the Balakovo prosecutor's office.

According to Guellert a dozen people were hospitalized for swallowing iodine.

The nuclear plant was back to normal operations on Saturday said authorities.

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