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UN nuclear watchdog says 'luck will run out' as Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant gets disconnected in Russian shelling

UN nuclear watchdog demands protective zone at Europe's largest nuclear power plant

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (File) A view of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant | Reuters

United Nations nuclear watchdog appealed Russia and Ukraine to set up a protective zone around Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe's largest nuclear facility.

Rafael Grossi, Chief of International Atomic Energy Agency, raising concerns regarding the plant's safety said that luck would run out one day. Grossi said he was astonished by the complacency around the issue. Addressing IAEA's 35-nation Board of Governors, Reuters quoted Grossi saying, "Each time we are rolling a dice. And if we allow this to continue time after time then one day our luck will run out.” 

Reuters reported that Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant lost its last external power line early on Thursday following Russia's recent attacks. The plant is now down to emergency diesel generators, a last line of defence to keep cooling reactor fuel and prevent a potentially catastrophic meltdown, Reuters reported.

Grossi was quoted saying by Reuters, “This is the sixth time let me say it again sixth time, that ZNPP has lost all off-site power and has had to operate in this emergency mode. Let me remind you this is the largest nuclear power station in Europe. What are we doing? How can we sit here in this room this morning and allow this to happen? This cannot go on. I am astonished by the complacency."

The Guardian, quoting a statement from Energoatom, Ukraine's power company reported, “Today, the last line of communication between the occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP and the Ukrainian power system has been cut off. Fuel for operation remains for 10 days.”

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