{"id":10768,"date":"2022-08-07T21:03:11","date_gmt":"2022-08-07T19:03:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=10768"},"modified":"2022-08-07T21:21:27","modified_gmt":"2022-08-07T19:21:27","slug":"iaea-warns-of-risk-of-nuclear-disaster-after-shelling-at-ukraines-nuclear-power-plant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/iaea-warns-of-risk-of-nuclear-disaster-after-shelling-at-ukraines-nuclear-power-plant\/","title":{"rendered":"IAEA warns of risk of nuclear disaster after shelling at Ukraine\u2019s nuclear power plant"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called for an immediate end to any military action near Ukraine\u2019s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, warning of a \u201cvery real risk of a nuclear disaster\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IAEA chief Rafael Mariano Grossi said he was \u201cextremely concerned<\/span><\/a>\u201d by reports of shelling at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant which underlines the risk of a nuclear disaster that could threaten public health and the environment in Ukraine and beyond. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is Europe\u2019s largest nuclear facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMilitary action jeopardizing the safety and security of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is completely unacceptable and must be avoided at all costs. Any military firepower directed at or from the facility would amount to playing with fire, with potentially catastrophic consequences\u201d he said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The global nuclear watchdog chief said that the IAEA has received information about the shelling. Although reports from Ukraine suggest there has been no damage to the reactors themselves and no radiological release, however, there is damage elsewhere on the site. A nitrogen-oxygen station, which supports plant operations, and an auxiliary building were damaged and need to be repaired, Ukraine said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IAEA appealed to all parties to exercise the utmost restraint in the vicinity of the nuclear facility which has six reactors. Grossi urged that the Ukrainian staff operating the plant under Russian occupation must be able to carry out their important duties without threats or pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rafael Grossi demanded an IAEA team of experts urgently be allowed to visit the plant to assess and safeguard the country\u2019s biggest nuclear power plant. \u201cThis mission would play a crucial role in helping to stabilize the nuclear safety and security situation there, as we have at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant and elsewhere in Ukraine in recent months where we have also delivered nuclear safety and security equipment that is urgently needed,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Further to @RafaelMGrossi<\/a> statement yesterday expressing grave concern about shelling at #Zaporizhzya<\/a> plant, preliminary assessment by IAEA experts: nuclear safety & security situation seemed stable w\/ no immediate threat, but several of 7 pillars breached https:\/\/t.co\/uaNnJPuf2W<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/VZ1fa56bF0<\/a><\/p>— IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency (@iaeaorg) August 7, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>