UN raises safety concerns after Chornobyl shield damage

The UN nuclear watchdog has sounded alarm over the structural damage found at Chornobyl nuclear plant in war-ravaged Ukraine.

In a recent assessment performed by the International Atomic Energy Agency, a protective shield at Chornobyl which is built to contain radioactive material from the 1986 disaster, was found to be damaged by the drone attack.

As a result of the assault, the shield failed to perform its main safety function.

A very large steel shelter called the “new safe confinement” was built next to the damaged nuclear reactor, costing around $1.75 billion. In February, the drone impact caused a hole in the new safe confinement.

The UN agency also reported the drone damage around the protective cladding around reactor Number Four on February, 14.

According to the IAEA director general, Rafael Grossi, “It is confirmed that the [protective structure] had lost its primary safety functions, including the confinement capability, but also found that there was no permanent damage to its load-bearing structures or monitoring systems.”

Although the repairs have been carried out “but comprehensive restoration remains essential to prevent further degradation and ensure long-term nuclear safety,” Grossi added.

The 1986 Chornobyl explosion proved fatal for Europe as it sent massive radiation across the European countries. Resultantly, the Soviet authorities mobilized a vast number of men and equipment to deal with the disaster. The plant’s last functional reactor was closed in 2000.