Blackout threatens safety at Russian-held Ukraine nuclear plant
- Amid fresh shelling, the Zaporizhzhia facility’s operator is thinking of shutting down its sole remaining reactor, the UN atomic watchdog says
- The site now has no running water or sewage, meaning ‘significant risk’ there will no longer be enough essential staff at the plant
A blackout caused by fresh shelling near Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has compromised the site’s safety, the UN atomic watchdog warned on Friday, adding the plant’s operator is considering shutting down the sole remaining reactor.
“Shelling has caused a complete blackout in Energodar [town] and compromised the safe operation of the nearby Zaporizhzhia [plant],” International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi tweeted, calling it a “dramatic development”.
“This is completely unacceptable. It cannot stand,” he said, calling for “the immediate cessation of all shelling in the entire area”.
“Only this will ensure the security of operating staff and allow the durable restoration of power to Energodar and to the power plant,” he added.
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Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant inspected by UN body despite shelling
The Zaporizhzhia plant is Europe’s largest nuclear power facility.