IAEA chief says nuclear safety zone around ZNPP needed now

Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, has called for a full halt of hostilities around the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Station, urging for the creation of a nuclear safety and protection zone around the facility, which is the only way to prevent a nuclear disaster.

That’s according to a statement published on the agency’s website, Ukrinform reports.

“I therefore urgently call for the immediate cessation of all shelling in the entire area. Only this will ensure the safety and security of operating staff and allow the durable restoration of power to Enerhodar and to the power plant. This dramatic development demonstrates the absolute imperative to establish a nuclear safety and security protection zone now,” the IAEA chief said.

This is the only way to ensure that “we do not face a nuclear accident,” Grossi stressed.

As reported earlier, Enerhodar, the main town serving the nuclear power plant, was de-energized due to the latest Russian shelling.

On September 6, IAEA presented a report following its mission’s visit to the ZNPP. The document confirms that Russia has deployed military equipment on the plant’s premises.

Russian invasion forces captured the ZNPP on March 4. While being physically operated by the Ukrainian staff, the facility remains under complete control of the Russian troops, who have placed heavy weapons at the site, shelling the surrounding areas.