After returning from Ukraine, Rafael Grossi dismissed concerns that he would not have access to all parts of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant: “We have seen everything I asked for,” the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA said Friday evening in Vienna. -Schwechat Airport and stressed: “We are staying. We are not leaving.” Six employees are still on site, four will return next week. Two experts would now be permanently on site.
Grossi leads the IAEA mission. The nuclear power plant is occupied by the Russian military, but is still operated by Ukrainian personnel. “The situation is extremely complex and challenging,” Grossi said. “You need constant support and monitoring – that’s what we’re here for.”
Shooting at nuclear power plant ‘unacceptable’
It was “unacceptable that anything was fired at the nuclear power plant”. Bullet holes were seen “not once, but several times”. He is concerned about the “physical integrity” of the nuclear power plant. In the event of a blackout, the diesel generators would have worked. But there is much fighting in the region and military operations are increasing.
It is clear that there is a possibility of damage to the system. His biggest concerns would also relate to the energy supply and the personnel on site, Grossi said.
“We’re staying, we’re not leaving”
“We can never be sure,” Grossi said. But if anything happens, his team is now on the scene. You are no longer dependent on the information of others. “The difference between being there and not being there is like night and day.” You stay “focused, we won’t let ourselves be manipulated”.
The presence of the IAEA team also has a “stabilizing effect”. Grossi emphasized that he hoped normalcy would return and that people should not have to stay there all the time. Grossi plans to present a report on the factory inspection early next week.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
