Alarming reports come out of Ukraine and the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, a massive shield covering the nuclear reactor from the 1986 disaster has lost its “primary safety functions.” Here’s why.
The protective shield that covers the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine has “lost safety functions” after a drone strike in February, the UN Nuclear watchdog has said. The protective shield can no longer provide its primary containment function.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors have taken a closer look at the colossal structure, which was constructed after the 1986 nuclear disaster.
Ukraine accused Russia of targeting the power plant in February, which the Kremlin denied. Now, IAEA representatives explained repairs are “essential” to “prevent further degradation” of the nuclear shelter. Meanwhile, environmental expert Jim Smith told the BBC that it’s “not something to panic about.”
The shield that covers the Chernobyl nuclear reactor was completed in 2019. It cost approximately € 1.5 billion ($ 1.6 billion). It covers the original concrete sarcophagus that was hit by a Russian drone strike, per Ukrainian prosecutors.
According to Euro News, the International Atomic Energy Agency inspected the structure last week and stated that the drone had damaged the steel structure.
Protective shield around Chernobyl has “lost its primary safety functions”
Director General of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, said the inspection “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.”
While some repairs took place, he added, “comprehensive restoration remains essential to prevent further degradation and ensure long-term nuclear safety.”
The new, multilayered structure covering the sarcophagus stands at over 100 metres at its peak. It was built to contain the melted-down nuclear fuel, which remains underneath.
Please share your memories of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, and where you were when you found out about it in the comment section on Facebook.