Fire At Ukraine's Nuclear Plant After Russian Attack, Could Be 10 Times Larger Than Chernobyl!
In what could be described as a sign of the ongoing Russian invasion in Ukraine taking a disastrous turn, a fire outbreak has been reported from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) after it came under shell attacks.
Nuclear plant spokesman Andriy Tuz told Ukrainian television that shells were falling directly on the facility and had set fire to one of its six reactors. That reactor is under renovation and not operating, but there is nuclear fuel inside, he said.
Firing from all sides
The mayor of a nearby town said the nuclear plant was on fire amid intense fighting in the area, with firefighters unable to reach the site. Ukraine's foreign minister said Russian troops were "firing from all sides" at the plant.
According to Ukraine regulators, there has been no change reported in radiation levels at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant following the fire and has not affected "essential" equipment.
The power plant is responsible for producing a quarter of Ukraine's energy requirement.
The attack renewed fears that the invasion could result in damage to one of Ukraine's 15 nuclear reactors and trigger another emergency like the 1986 Chernobyl accident, the world's worst nuclear disaster, which happened about 110 kilometers north of the capital.
10 times larger than Chernobyl
According to Ukraine Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba if the power plant blows up, it will be 10 times larger than Chernobyl, which to date is the worst nuclear disaster in history.
The Soviet-era Chernobyl power plant was taken over by the invading Russian troops last week.
IAEA informed
IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it is in contact with Ukrainian authorities about the situation.
"Ukraine: IAEA is aware of reports of shelling at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), in contact with Ukrainian authorities about situation," tweeted IAEA.
Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, has appealed for a halt of use of force and warned of severe danger if reactors are hit as it could be disastrous for radiation spread.
"IAEA Director General @RafaelMGrossi speaks with Ukraine PM Denys Shmygal and with Ukrainian nuclear regulator and operator about the serious situation at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, appeals for halt of use of force and warns of severe danger if reactors hit," tweeted IAEA.
Earlier on Friday, before the fire broke out the IAEA released a statement warning that Russian troops were approaching the area and any fighting near the plant could be disastrous.
Ukraine told the IAEA "a large number of Russian tanks and infantry 'broke through the block post to the town of Enerhodar, a few kilometres from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP)," the IAEA said in a statement.
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