IAEA: "No Nuclear Safety Impact After Fire at Ukrainian Nuclear Facility"

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced on the 12th (local time) that after a fire broke out on the 11th (local time) at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, radiation levels were checked and no risk factors were found.

Russian state nuclear company Rosatom stated in a press release the previous day that around 8:20 p.m., one of the two cooling towers at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was set on fire by an attack from a Ukrainian drone. Although the fire was extinguished, Rosatom added that the internal structure of the cooling tower was severely damaged. The Zaporizhzhia plant is operated by Ukrainian personnel, but Russia controls the area after occupying the site.

Raphael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is giving an interview in the Jongno-gu area of Seoul on the afternoon of the 8th. 2023.7.8 [Image source=Yonhap News]

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IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said in a statement that day, "We received reports from local resident experts that one of the cooling towers at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was attacked by an unmanned aerial vehicle and that an explosion was heard, and we have confirmed that this incident does not affect nuclear safety."

He continued, "There were no radioactive materials around the cooling tower that was attacked by the drone, and therefore, the experts on site judge that there is no risk of an increase in radiation levels. We are currently requesting access to the cooling tower to assess the facility damage," he explained.

He also noted, "Cooling towers are used during the power operation of the plant, and even if the cooling tower is damaged, it does not directly affect the six reactors currently in a shutdown state," but warned, "Attention must be paid to the risk of the fire spreading to essential safety facilities."

Director General Grossi stated that all military actions against nuclear power plants increase the risk of nuclear accidents and said, "Reckless attacks must be stopped immediately."

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