The IAEA shows its “extreme concern” about the situation of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, Ukraine

VIENNA, 7 May. (DPA/EP) –

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has shown its “extreme concern” about the situation of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, Ukraine, which has been under Russian control since March 2022 and very close to the front line.

It is a scenario that is becoming increasingly unpredictable and dangerous, as declared this Saturday by the director of the IAEA, Rafael Mariano Grossi.

“I am extremely concerned about the very real nuclear safety and security risks facing the plant,” Grossi warned in a status report. “We must act now to prevent the threat of a major nuclear accident.”

The pro-Russian administration of the region announced evacuations last Friday fearing an offensive by the Ukrainian Army, whose objective would be to reach the coast of the Azov Sea.

Grossi has assured that, although the plant’s staff will continue to be present, the situation is becoming “tense, stressful and challenging” for their families, which could lead to errors or accidents at the plant, according to the agency.

In addition, the director has once again called on the parties to reach an agreement to protect Europe’s largest nuclear power plant from catastrophe and, although there have been recent signs that a deal could be close, progress has stalled.

The plant faced a series of regular bombardments last summer that caused problems with the external power supply and, although its six reactors were taken offline, the danger of an accident remains due to the need for a continuous supply of power to maintain cold reactors and to perform other essential safety operations.