“One day our luck will run out,” warns the head of the IAEA after the blackout at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant
Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), speaks at a news conference in Vienna, Austria, on March 6. (Photo: Leonhard Foeger/Archyde.com)
The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency said the loss of power at Ukraine’s Zaporizhia nuclear power plant should serve as another reminder of the dangerous situation facing the site and the surrounding area.
“If we allow this to continue to happen over and over again, one day our luck will run out,” said Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
On Thursday, the plant lost power due to Russian missile attacks, according to Ukrainian officials. Grossi said it was the first time the plant had lost all power since November 23, 2022.
“I am amazed at the complacency, yes, the complacency. What are we doing to prevent this from happening? We are the IAEA, we are supposed to be concerned with nuclear safety,” Grossi said.
“This is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. … What are we doing?” Grossi asked. “How can we sit in this room this morning and allow this to happen? This cannot continue.”
“I appeal to everyone in this room today and everywhere else: we must commit to protecting the security of the plant. And we have to commit now. What we need is action,” Grossi said.
Some background: The plant has been under Russian control since March last year, but is still largely operated by Ukrainian workers.
The attacks on the complex have raised concerns about the specter of a nuclear catastrophe, and IAEA staff have been visiting the site to assess the damage.
The UN nuclear agency recently said it has been unable to rotate equipment at the plant due to increased volatility in the area.
The IAEA chief has assured Ukraine that his agency will never recognize Russia as the owner of the Zaporizhia power station, according to Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. Grossi also promised a continued IAEA presence at all Ukrainian nuclear power plants.