IAEA evaluates radiation risk after fire near Zaporizhzhia NPP
Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
The International Atomic Energy Agency reported that the fire near the cooling towers of the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant did not affect radiation levels, according to the IAEA press service.
According to analysts, there is currently no threat to nuclear safety.
It was also reported that IAEA staff observed the fire near the plant’s cooling towers from the administrative building.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi confirmed that no increase in radiation levels was detected during the incident, there is no threat to nuclear safety, and no one was injured.
Fire at Zaporizhzhia NPP
On the afternoon of Tuesday, August 12, photos circulated online showing the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant surrounded by smoke - the haze appeared near the plant’s cargo port area.
“There is smoke observed in the cargo port area of the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The exact location of the fire and its possible consequences are currently being determined,” the Ministry of Energy reported.
Not the first incident
On July 19, smoke was reported near the Zaporizhzhia NPP due to a forest fire.
Then, on July 29, information circulated online claiming a radiation spike in the Zaporizhzhia region after a wind shift from the power plant’s direction.
However, Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs denied any radiation increase.
IAEA specialists also did not record any radiation level exceedance on the Zaporizhzhia NPP territory.
