The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is intensifying its investigation into a fire that broke out at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Energodar, southern Ukraine.
The blaze, which started on Sunday in the plant’s cooling system, has led to a flurry of accusations between Russia and Ukraine, each blaming the other for the incident.
The IAEA Director General, Raffaele Grossi, provided an update on the ongoing investigation, revealing that while experts were granted access to the cooling tower area, their findings did not indicate that the base of the tower was the source of the fire.
Instead, the damage seems to be concentrated around the water nozzle distribution level, situated approximately 10 meters above the tower’s base.
Due to security concerns, the team could not access the nozzle distribution level or the base of the tower directly. However, they collected various debris samples from the site, including burnt and melted plastic.
Grossi highlighted that the absence of a sulfur smell led the team to surmise that the fire was likely caused by burning plastic rather than car tires or drones, as speculated by both sides.
Russian sources have alleged that the fire was triggered by an attack drone, while Ukrainian officials have suggested that Russians might have set car tires ablaze within the cooling tower.
This ongoing exchange of accusations has made it challenging for the IAEA to ascertain the exact cause of the fire.
Grossi reassured the public that the plant’s nuclear safety remains intact. The cooling towers, which were affected by the fire, are not currently used for reactor cooling.
The plant’s reactors have been in a cold shutdown state since 2022, following the Russian control over the facility amidst its full-scale offensive in Ukraine. Despite the shutdown, ongoing cooling is essential for maintaining safety.
Radiation monitoring in both the cooling tower and reactor areas has shown no signs of increased radiation levels, further alleviating concerns about potential nuclear hazards from the incident.
The IAEA plans to continue its investigation, with further examinations of the water nozzle distribution level and the cold water pool scheduled. The team’s ongoing efforts aim to uncover more details about the fire’s origin and prevent future incidents.
This incident underscores the persistent tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant frequently becoming a focal point of their conflict.
Since taking control of the plant, Russia has repeatedly reported Ukrainian drone attacks, contributing to the heightened security and operational challenges at the site.
The Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe’s largest nuclear power station, has been a critical infrastructure asset and a potential flashpoint since the conflict’s escalation.
he IAEA’s presence and continued monitoring are crucial for ensuring that the plant’s safety protocols are upheld and that any risks are swiftly addressed.
As the IAEA delves deeper into the investigation, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that ensures the safety and stability of one of the region’s most significant nuclear facilities.