The Chernobyl nuclear power plant stops broadcasting and the International Atomic Energy Agency expresses concern about the staff who have been working non-stop for almost two weeks
A few hours of war were enough for this insane conflict in Ukraine to spread the worrying veil of nuclear power plants over us. In fact, in a couple of days, at the beginning of the war, the country lost control of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and since then there has been a succession of calls for maximum restraint to avoid any action that could put the structure at risk.
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But that's not all, and indeed, according to the statements of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA, the International Atomic Energy Agency), there would not even be more data from Chernobyl itself.
Remote data transmission contact with the plant's safeguard systems has been lost, writes the International Atomic Energy Agency in a statement.
The general manager Rafael Mariano Grossi thus launches an appeal to Moscow to ask that the law be respected rotation of the 210 technicians working at the plant. In contrast to the current situation for the personnel of Ukrainian nuclear power plants in operation who are rotating regularly, the same shift has in fact been on duty at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant since the day before the Russian army entered the 1986 accident site. on February 24.
I have been there for 13 days.
The more than 200 employees would thus be at work without interruption since 24 February last, warning of the risk that the non-turnover of technical staff may entail.
#Ukraine has told the IAEA it's becoming increasingly urgent and important — for the safe management of the #Chornobyl…
Posted by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Tuesday, March 8, 2022
The director general Grossi has repeatedly stressed that the personnel who manage nuclear plants must be able to rest and work in regular shifts, stating that this is critical to overall nuclear safety. Their ability to make decisions without undue pressure is among the seven indispensable pillars of nuclear safety and security outlined at an IAEA Board of Governors meeting on March 2, called to address the implications for safety, security and safeguards. of the situation in Ukraine.
I am deeply concerned about the difficult and stressful situation facing the personnel of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant and the potential risks this poses to nuclear safety. I urge the forces that effectively monitor the site to urgently facilitate the safe rotation of staff there, he said.
The management of nuclear material at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant has been suspended for the time being, the regulator added. The site, located in an exclusion zone, includes decommissioned reactors and radioactive waste plants.
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Source: IAEA
Read also:
- The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is different from the Chernobyl one and we shouldn't fear the worst
- Ukraine: After conquering Chernobyl, the Russians advance towards Kiev
