IAEA Reports No Breach in Chernobyl’s Inner Containment Structure, Radiation Levels Inside and Outside the Site Remain Normal.
A drone crash caused an explosion and fire at the New Safe Confinement (NSC) structure, which is protecting the remains of Reactor 4 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, the location of the 1986 nuclear disaster.
According to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), this incident occurred on February 14.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the attack, saying that the drone, which had a powerful explosive, hit the shelter that protects the world from radiation. He called the attack an act of terrorism and stressed the danger of targeting nuclear sites.
During the night of 13-14 Feb, at around 01:50, IAEA team at the Chornobyl site heard an explosion coming from the New Safe Confinement, which protects the remains of reactor 4 of the former Chornobyl NPP, causing a fire. They were informed that a UAV had struck the NSC roof. pic.twitter.com/Ee5NSRgDo8
— IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency ⚛️ (@iaeaorg) February 14, 2025
No Radiation Danger
Firefighters acted quickly and put out the fire. Early reports show major damage to the shelter. Surveillance footage captured the explosion, followed by a fire and visible damage to the dome.
The IAEA stated that there’s no sign of damage to the inner containment of the NSC, and radiation levels inside and outside the site are normal and stable. No injuries have been reported.
Why We Should Be Concerned
This incident highlights the ongoing risks to the safety and security of nuclear sites in Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict.
Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the IAEA, stressed the continued danger to nuclear safety, saying, “We cannot be complacent, and the IAEA is staying on high alert.”
He pointed out that the Chernobyl incident and the recent rise in military activity around the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant require extra caution. The IAEA has a team at the Chernobyl site keeping an eye on the situation.
Reactor 4 at Chernobyl exploded on April 26, 1986, causing the worst nuclear disaster in history.
To control the radiation, a concrete and steel structure called a “sarcophagus” was built, but it started to weaken over time. In 2016, the NSC, a huge steel arch, was finished to replace the old sarcophagus and stop any more radiation from leaking.
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