Vienna 20th August : Vienna, Aug 20 : International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has stated that it is in active discussions with all parties regarding sending a team to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in the southern part of Ukraine in the earliest time is possible.The IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi on Friday reiterated in an appeal to the highest level of security in the region of the Zaporizhzhia plant, citing “new indications of increasing tensions”.
Grossi advised that any further increase in tension may “lead to a serious nuclear accident with potentially serious consequences for the human health as well as the environment in Ukraine and across the globe”.
The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog reiterated the necessity of sending an IAEA team to oversee security, safety and safeguards operations in the Zaporizhzhia plant, Xinhua news agency reported.
He also praised “recent statements that indicate that both Ukraine and Russia have backed” IAEA’s plan to send a delegation to Zaporizhzhia.
The Zaporizhzhia plant, which is one of Europe’s biggest nuclear power plants has been governed by Russian forces since the beginning of March, however Ukrainian personnel have continued to manage it.In the last week, Ukraine and Russia exchanged accusations regarding a strike on the plant.
Ukraine provided the IAEA on Friday that only two of the six reactors at the Zaporizhzhia plant are working according to the statement of the agency.
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