United Nations 41d ago

Following a drone strike on an electrical generator near the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Chief, Mariano Grossi, warned that a direct hit on the plant “could result in a very high release of radioactivity to the environment.” Briefing an emergency session of the Security Council following the attack, Grossi said, “a hit that disabled the line's supplying electrical power to the plant, could increase the likelihood of its reactors cores melting, which could result in a high release of radioactivity.” He said, “in their worst cases, both scenarios would necessitate protective actions such as evacuations and sheltering of the population, or the need to take stable iodine with a reach extending to distances from a few to several hundred kilometres. Radiation monitoring would need to cover distances of several hundred kilometres, and food restrictions may need to be implemented.” The IAEA Chief stressed that military activity on Nuclear Power Plants and other nuclear facilities “carry undeniable risks,” adding that “immediate engagement with the IAEA’s Incident and Emergency Centre is of the essence.” He said, “it is clear that the only sustainable path forward to peace, stability and cooperation is one grounded in dialogue and diplomacy” and the IAEA “as the international technical institution entrusted with overseeing the peaceful use of nuclear energy, remains a vital forum for this dialogue, especially now.”