Russian forces have seized Europe’s biggest nuclear power plant in Ukraine that caught fire overnight during clashes.
The Zaporizhzhia power plant had caught fire as it came under shelling from Russian forces. Though the fire was later extinguished, the incident sparked concerns that radiation could leak from the damaged power station.
U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said the reactors at Zaporizhzhia power station are protected by robust containment structures and reactors are being safely shut down.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Friday said that it has decided to launch a 24-hour Centre for Incidents and Emergencies in the wake of the now-extinguished fire at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in Ukraine caused by Russian shelling.
In a tweet, the IAEA said: “IAEA puts its Incident and Emergency Centre in full 24/7 response mode due to serious situation at Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine.”
Ukraine President Volodomyr Zelensky urged the world leaders to prevent the destruction of Europe from the catastrophe at the nuclear power plant. He said, “Europe must wake up. Russian tanks shoot nuclear blocks. They know where to shoot. They were preparing for this. If there is an explosion, it is the end of everything. This is the evacuation of Europe. Prevent the destruction of Europe from the catastrophe at the nuclear power plant.”
Ms Kalinga