IAEA ‘extremely concerned’ about tense situation at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
- ‘We must act now to prevent the threat of a severe nuclear accident,’ International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi warned, amid evacuations near plant
- A Ukrainian counteroffensive to retake territory captured by Russia is expected soon. One possibility is a military advance in the Zaporizhzhia region
The head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog is expressing growing anxiety about the safety of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, after the governor of the Russia-occupied area ordered the evacuation of a town where most plant staff live amid ongoing attacks in the area.
The plant is near the front lines of fighting, and Ukrainian authorities on Sunday said that a 72-year-old woman was killed and three others were wounded when Russian forces fired more than 30 shells at Nikopol, a Ukrainian-held town neighbouring the plant.
The general situation in the area near the plant “is becoming increasingly unpredictable and potentially dangerous”, International Atomic Energy Agency head Rafael Grossi said in a warning on Saturday before the latest reports of attacks.
“I’m extremely concerned about the very real nuclear safety and security risks facing the plant.”