IAEA chief calls for "maximum restraint" over Zaporizhzhia attacks
Photo taken on April 11, 2024 shows a special meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors in Vienna, Austria. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Thursday called for "maximum restraint" after Sunday's drone attacks on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP), which he said have significantly increased the risk of a nuclear accident. (IAEA/Handout via Xinhua)
VIENNA, April 11 (Xinhua) -- The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Thursday called for "maximum restraint" after Sunday's drone attacks on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP), which he said have significantly increased the risk of a nuclear accident.
"Direct attacks against the ZNPP marked a major escalation of the nuclear safety and security dangers in Ukraine," IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi told a special meeting of the agency's 35-nation Board of Governors.
The meeting was convened at the request of Russia and Ukraine to discuss the attacks on ZNPP, which hit the reactor dome of Unit 6 of the plant, and caused at least one casualty. They were the first attacks since November 2022 to directly target the ZNPP.
Although Grossi said that Sunday's attacks "fortunately did not compromise nuclear safety in a serious way", he noted that another drone attack on the ZNPP on Tuesday was "an ominous indication of an apparent readiness to continue these attacks."
The IAEA chief called on military decision-makers to abstain from any action violating the IAEA's principles, to prevent a nuclear accident and ensure the integrity of the ZNPP. He also urged the international community to work towards de-escalating the situation at the plant, and said he would brief the United Nations Security Council on the matter next week.
Russia and Ukraine have both accused the other of staging the attacks on the ZNPP. Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that the recent shelling of the plant was "a very dangerous provocation", with negative consequences. However, Ukraine has denied any involvement in the drone attacks.
The IAEA has not taken a position on who was to blame.
The ZNPP is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, with a total capacity of six gigawatts. At the end of February 2022, Russia took control of the facility. ■
Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), speaks at a special meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors in Vienna, Austria, on April 11, 2024. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Thursday called for "maximum restraint" after Sunday's drone attacks on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP), which he said have significantly increased the risk of a nuclear accident. (IAEA/Handout via Xinhua)
Rafael Grossi (L), director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), attends a special meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors in Vienna, Austria, on April 11, 2024. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Thursday called for "maximum restraint" after Sunday's drone attacks on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP), which he said have significantly increased the risk of a nuclear accident. (Xinhua/He Canling)
Related articles
Saudi Arabia is going to sponsor the WTA women's tennis rankings under a new partnership
NEW YORK (AP) — Saudi Arabia’s move into tennis will now include a multiyear deal to sponsor the WTA2024-05-21Melissa George gives fans a rare glimpse at her newborn baby boy after giving birth at 47
Melissa George has shared a rare photo of her newborn son after giving birth to her third child at a2024-05-21Mainland ready to aid disaster relief after Taiwan earthquake: spokesperson
The mainland is paying close attention to the 7.3-magnitude earthquake in the Taiwan region and the2024-05-21Megan Fox reveals what she REALLY thinks about her Love Is Blind's 'look
Megan Fox has broken her silence on the drama surrounding Love Is Blind's Chelsea Blackwell comparin2024-05-21Revealed: Brit tourist, 19, subjected to sex attack in Majorca 'was gang
A 19-year-old British tourist who was subjected to a horrific sex attack in Majorca 'was gang-raped2024-05-21E China hailstorm disaster death toll rises to 7
The death toll resulting from hailstorms and severe convective weather that has been affecting east2024-05-21
atest comment