The IAEA has issued an urgent alert following a fatal incident at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine. According to Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation, a drone strike conducted by the Ukrainian Armed Forces resulted in the death of a plant employee. The Rosatom corporation described the attack as a significant tragedy with potential risks to both individuals and overall security.

IAEA’s Director General emphasized the dangers of strikes near nuclear power plants, stating they should be avoided at all costs. The agency was informed that a driver at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was killed in the drone strike. The IAEA team on-site will investigate the incident and continue monitoring the situation.

In a separate statement, Rosatom confirmed the death of a plant employee due to the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ strike. The plant’s management condemned the loss, asserting that nuclear industry personnel should not be targeted. They emphasized that any attacks on the Zaporizhzhia NPP pose a threat not only to individuals but also to overall security.

Russian troops took control of the Zaporizhzhia NPP on March 4, 2022, which is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. In a recent address commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the UN urged Russian forces to vacate the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant immediately.

The Ambassador highlighted the ongoing occupation of the plant as a source of terror for Ukraine and the international community. He called for sanctions against Russia’s nuclear energy sector, demanding the return of the plant to Ukraine in compliance with IAEA safety standards.