New York, 25 August 2022 (TDI): United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres expressed concern over the situation in the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
He said that the situation around the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) is not stable and the ongoing military escalation between Ukraine and Russia may turn ZNPP into a reason for the nuclear catastrophe.
I remain gravely concerned about the situation in and around the Nuclear Power Plant in Zaporizhzhia.
Any further escalation of the situation could lead to self-destruction.
The @UN Secretariat is ready to support any @iaeaorg mission from Kyiv to the Plant.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) August 25, 2022
Antonio Guterres further added that the United Nations secretariat is ready to assist the government of Ukraine. He stressed the point of provision of access to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ZNPP.
Also Read: IAEA accepts Ukraine’s invitation to Zaporizhzhia facility
IAEA’s concerns over Zaporizhzhia Power Plant
Earlier, on 23 August 2022, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced on their Twitter handle that ZNPP was facing the danger of catastrophe. IAEA also warned about the destruction of lab and chemical facilities at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
Shelling on the weekend damaged infrastructure including lab & chemical facilities at the #Zaporizhzya NPP, #Ukraine has said. On Monday, shelling damaged transformers of a nearby thermal power plant, temporarily disconnecting a power line linked to ZNPP. https://t.co/2cHuGturIE pic.twitter.com/QSyK6fxc4e
— IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency (@iaeaorg) August 23, 2022
The Director General of the IAEA, R. Mariano Grossi also expressed his concerns over Zaporizhzhia’s situation. He stated, “These incidents show why the IAEA must be able to send a mission to the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant very soon”.
Further, Director General Grossi said, “I’m continuing to consult very actively and intensively with all parties so that this vital IAEA mission can take place without further delay.”
He emphasized that “The IAEA’s presence will help stabilize the nuclear safety and security situation at the site and reduce the risk of a severe nuclear accident in Europe. The mission is expected to take place within the next few days if ongoing negotiations succeed.”
