IAEA Warns of “Serious Nuclear Accident” at Zaporizhia Power Plant Occupied by Russian Forces in Ukraine

The IAEA fears a serious incident at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, in the wake of the evacuations of people

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) warned on Saturday of the risk of a “serious nuclear accident” at the Zaporizhia power plant, occupied by Russian forces in Ukraine, in full evacuation of a neighboring town where live most employees, and on the “potentially dangerous” situation around the site.

“The situation in the area near the Zaporijjia nuclear power plant is becoming increasingly unpredictable and potentially dangerous,” warned the head of the Agency, Rafael Grossi, quoted in an IAEA press release. This plant, the largest in Europe, has been targeted several times by gunfire since the start of the conflict, raising fears of a disaster.

The Agency’s experts, who are on site, continue to hear the sound of shelling in the area, the last dating from Friday evening, the statement said. They are closely monitoring the situation to “detect any potential impact on nuclear safety and security,” said Rafael Grossi.

“This large nuclear facility must be protected. I will continue to press for all parties to commit to this vital goal, and the IAEA will continue to do everything in its power to help ensure the nuclear safety and security of the plant.” he declared.

Huge queues

On Friday, the regional manager installed by Moscow, Evguéni Balitski, announced a partial evacuation of 18 localities under Russian occupation in the Zaporijjia region, in particular in Energodar. But this raises concerns.

Ivan Fedorov, mayor of Melitopol, denounced Saturday on Telegram a too rapid “evacuation”. Huge queues formed at the Chongar checkpoint on the road from Melitopol to Crimea, he said. Ditto in Tokmak, where the queues are getting longer to buy bread, while most gas stations have run out of gas.

Russian authorities plan to evacuate about 70,000 people, according to an official of the occupation administration, Andrei Kozenko, quoted by the TASS agency. But an evacuation of the employees of the nuclear power plant, whose six reactors are stopped, is not currently planned, announced Saturday Yuri Tchernichuk, director of the site appointed by the Russian authorities.

Zaporijjia’s workforce has gradually decreased since the start of the conflict, details the IAEA press release, and the management of the site is ensured by a sufficient number of employees to ensure the security of the site, according to the Russian authorities.