The Chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has raised concerns about the precarious safety and security situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine.
During a UN Security Council briefing on Tuesday, Grossi highlighted that the nuclear facility remains extremely fragile and dangerous, with ongoing military activities in the region that could potentially escalate in the near future.
Despite being temporarily shut down, the plant is operating with significantly reduced staff, which is unsustainable, according to Grossi.
He further revealed that there have been seven instances when the site experienced a complete loss of off-site power, relying solely on emergency diesel generators as the last line of defense to cool the reactor and spent fuel. In fact, the most recent occurrence took place just one week ago.
Grossi expressed gratitude that a nuclear accident has not yet occurred but cautioned that relying on luck is not a viable long-term strategy.
He stressed the urgent need for all stakeholders to take proactive measures to minimize the risk of a catastrophic incident.
To address these concerns, the IAEA chief presented a set of “concrete principles” aimed at safeguarding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant from potential threats.
He emphasized the importance of refraining from any form of attack on or from the plant, specifically targeting the reactors, spent fuel storage, critical infrastructure, and personnel.
Grossi also called for the plant to be kept free from the storage or deployment of heavy weaponry and military personnel that could be exploited for an attack.
Additionally, he underscored the necessity of protecting all essential structures, systems, and components of the Zaporizhzhia plant from acts of sabotage or intentional damage.
The IAEA chief’s remarks shed light on the gravity of the situation and serve as a wake-up call for enhanced security measures and vigilance at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Efforts must be made to mitigate the risks posed by the current fragile state and to ensure the continued safe and secure operation of the facility. (Edited)
