IAEA calls for safety zone around Ukraine’s nuclear plant

The United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has called for the establishment of a nuclear safety and security protection zone around Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP).

In its report issued on Tuesday the IAEA said the current situation at the nuclear plant is untenable.

“The IAEA is still gravely concerned about the situation at the ZNPP – this hasn’t changed.

“There is an urgent need for interim measures to prevent a nuclear accident arising from physical damage caused by military means.

“This can be achieved by the immediate establishment of a nuclear safety and security protection zone.

“The IAEA is ready to start immediately the consultations leading to the urgent establishment of such a nuclear safety and security protection zone at the ZNPP.” The agency said.

The IAEA recommended that shelling on the nuclear plant’s site and in its vicinity should be stopped immediately to avoid any further damages to the plant and associated facilities.

“The (IAEA) team closely witnessed shelling in the vicinity of the ZNPP, in particular on 3 September when the team was instructed to evacuate to the ground level of the Administrative Building.

“Moreover, the team observed damage at different locations caused by reported events with some of the damage being close to the reactor buildings.” The report read.

IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi, who led the inspection visit, briefed the UN Security Council on the agency’s findings on Tuesday.

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However the report did not ascribe blame for damage at the plant.

Inspectors said they had found Russian troops and equipment at the plant, including military vehicles parked in turbine halls.

The team also said conditions for the plant’s Ukrainian staff should be improved to reduce the likelihood of errors.

“The team established that the operating staff did not have unrestricted access to some areas, such as the spray cooling ponds, roofs of the buildings, and structures in the area of the water intake, and that access to the cooling ponds area was required to be granted by the military personnel at the site.

“Following the (IAEA mission to Zaporizhzhia), the Director General raised concerns that such restrictions may limit the access of operating staff to some locations in case of an emergency and, thus, jeopardize the effectiveness of normal operation and the emergency response.” The agency added.

Russian troops seized control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant site in early March and there have been repeated attacks in the vicinity. Both Moscow and Kyiv have denied responsibility.

Zainab Sa’id