The bombardment last week at the Zaporiza nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, damaged not only the power supply system but also the communication line that controls radiation.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a statement in the name of Secretary-General Rafael Grossi on the 9th (local time), “The external power supply was broken by the bombardment on the 5th, and additional damage was caused by the shelling on the 6th the next day.” .
The IAEA explained that the second shelling broke the walls, roof and windows of the spent fuel storage facility at the Japorija nuclear power plant, and damaged some communication lines. Ukrainian security personnel guarding the facility were also injured.
In the case of spent fuel facilities, the container containing the radioactive material was not broken, so this is not a major concern, but the IAEA stressed that the damaged communication cable is part of a system that controls radiation and therefore needs an on-site inspection.
If the communication line fails to restore its original function, the IAEA explained that it could affect the ability of the three sensors to detect radiation.
Secretary-General Grosi said, “The IAEA experts assess that there is no immediate threat from the past shelling,” but pointed out that “there are still concerns as key elements for nuclear safety, such as the security system, are not complete.”
In particular, he said, “I urge once again to allow IAEA experts to enter the field and help stabilize the nuclear safety situation.
[사진 출처 : AP=연합뉴스]