evacuations around the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, the IAEA wants to avoid a “serious accident”

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) alerted on Saturday May 6 to the risk of a “serious nuclear accident” at the Zaporizhia power plant, occupied by Russian forces in Ukraine. At the same time, the evacuation of a nearby town, where most of the employees live, began.

“The situation in the area near the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant is becoming increasingly unpredictable and potentially dangerous”, warned the head of the Agency, Rafael Grossi, quoted in an IAEA press release. This plant, the largest in Europe, has been targeted several times by gunfire since the start of the conflict, raising fears of a disaster.

Protecting the plant, a “vital objective”

The Agency’s experts, who are on site, continue to hear the sound of shelling in the area, the last dating from Friday evening, the statement said. They are monitoring the situation closely to “to detect any potential impact on nuclear safety and security”assured Rafael Grossi.

“This great nuclear facility must be protected. I will continue to press for all parties to commit to this vital goal.”did he declare.

The regional manager installed by Moscow, Yevgeny Balitsky, announced on Friday a partial evacuation of 18 localities under Russian occupation in the Zaporijjia region, in particular in Energodar.