A blackout caused by new shelling near Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has compromised the site’s safety, the UN atomic watchdog has warned, adding the plant’s operator is considering shutting down the sole remaining reactor, Trend reports citing Al Arabiya.
“Shelling has caused a complete blackout in [Erenhodar] and compromised the safe operation of the nearby Zaporizhzhia [plant],” International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi tweeted on Friday, calling it a “dramatic development”.
“This is completely unacceptable. It cannot stand,” he said, calling for “the immediate cessation of all shelling in the entire area”.
“Only this will ensure the security of operating staff and allow the durable restoration of power to Energodar and to the power plant,” he added.