Agency Reports Explosion Near Ukrainian Nuclear Power Plant
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported explosions and drone strikes close to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine. Rafael Grossi, the agency’s Director General, warned of the serious risks posed by such repeated incidents.
According to webangah News Agency,citing the official IAEA website,Grossi stated that members of the agency’s on-site team at Zaporizhzhia heard explosions and saw smoke originating from an area near the facility on saturday morning.
In an official statement, Grossi explained: “One of the support facilities for this plant was targeted.Reports indicate this attack occurred around 9 a.m. local time through shelling and drones; observers from our agency also heard military activity at that time.”
He added: “This auxiliary facility is located approximately 1,200 meters from the main site boundary of Zaporizhzhia. Our team continued to observe smoke lingering along this path into the afternoon hours.”
The IAEA chief cautioned: “Any attack near a nuclear power plant, irrespective of its intended target, poses a notable threat to nuclear safety.”
“therefore,I reiterate the urgent need for complete restraint by military forces operating around nuclear facilities to prevent a catastrophic accident,” he emphasized.
The Zaporizhzhia plant has been repeatedly exposed to attacks as the outbreak of war between Russia and Ukraine.
