Atomic Watchdog: No Contact With Chernobyl
Published:
The Chernobyl nuclear power plant is no longer transmitting data to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The agency said Tuesday that it voiced concern for staff working under Russian guard at the Ukrainian facility.
On February 24, Russia invaded Ukraine and seized the defunct Chernobyl plant, site of a 1986 disaster that killed hundreds and spread radioactive contamination west across Europe.
International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi "indicated that remote data transmission from safeguards monitoring systems installed at the Chernobyl NPP had been lost", the agency said in a statement.
The Agency is looking into the status of safeguards monitoring systems in other locations in Ukraine and will provide further information soon," it said.
The IAEA uses the term "safeguards" to describe technical measures it applies to nuclear material and activities, with the objective of deterring the spread of nuclear weapons through early detection of the misuse of such material.
More than 200 technical staff and guards remain trapped at the site, working 13 days straight since the Russian takeover.
The situation for the staff was worsening at the site, the IAEA said, citing the Ukrainian nuclear regulator.
The defunct plant sits inside an exclusion zone that houses decommissioned reactors as well as radioactive waste facilities.
More than 2,000 staff still work at the plant as it requires constant management to prevent another nuclear disaster.
The UN agency called on Russia to allow workers to rotate because rest and regular shifts were crucial to the site's safety.
I'm deeply concerned about the difficult and stressful situation facing staff at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and the potential risks this entails for nuclear safety, said Mr. Grossi. I call on the forces in effective control of the site to urgently facilitate the safe rotation of personnel there, he added.
With remote data transmission cut off and the Ukrainian regulator only able to contact the plant by email.
The Chernobyl nuclear power plant is no longer transmitting data to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The agency said Tuesday that it voiced concern for staff working under Russian guard at the Ukrainian facility.
On February 24, Russia invaded Ukraine and seized the defunct Chernobyl plant, site of a 1986 disaster that killed hundreds and spread radioactive contamination west across Europe.
International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi "indicated that remote data transmission from safeguards monitoring systems installed at the Chernobyl NPP had been lost", the agency said in a statement.
The Agency is looking into the status of safeguards monitoring systems in other locations in Ukraine and will provide further information soon," it said.
The IAEA uses the term "safeguards" to describe technical measures it applies to nuclear material and activities, with the objective of deterring the spread of nuclear weapons through early detection of the misuse of such material.
More than 200 technical staff and guards remain trapped at the site, working 13 days straight since the Russian takeover.
The situation for the staff was worsening at the site, the IAEA said, citing the Ukrainian nuclear regulator.
The defunct plant sits inside an exclusion zone that houses decommissioned reactors as well as radioactive waste facilities.
More than 2,000 staff still work at the plant as it requires constant management to prevent another nuclear disaster.
The UN agency called on Russia to allow workers to rotate because rest and regular shifts were crucial to the site's safety.
I'm deeply concerned about the difficult and stressful situation facing staff at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and the potential risks this entails for nuclear safety, said Mr. Grossi. I call on the forces in effective control of the site to urgently facilitate the safe rotation of personnel there, he added.
With remote data transmission cut off and the Ukrainian regulator only able to contact the plant by email.
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Many developing countries will reduce food imports due to rising prices.
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Many developing countries will reduce food imports due to rising prices.