IAEA Chief to Inspect Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Amid Ongoing Security Concerns

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, will travel to Ukraine to inspect the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, amid ongoing concerns about its safety. The IAEA, in a statement released on Thursday, emphasized that the plant’s security remains precarious. Grossi’s visit will mark his fifth trip to the facility since the IAEA established a permanent mission there in September 2022 to ensure nuclear safety. He expressed his commitment to protecting nuclear safety during ongoing hostilities. The visit follows an incident on September 19th, when a drone carrying an explosive charge struck the plant, causing a fire that severely damaged one of its two cooling towers. The IAEA team on site continues to hear explosions and other signs of military activity. Although the plant’s six reactors are currently shut down, the IAEA warns that the facility continues to face significant risks.